Mining exports flows, repression, and forest loss: A cross-national test of ecologically unequal exchange

Abstract

We draw on the theory of ecologically unequal exchange to inform our study of how mining exports sent from poor to rich nations affect forests in poor nations. Using ordinary least squares regression for a sample of 61 low- and middle-income nations, we find little support for this hypothesis. However, we refine it by considering how repressive nations facilitate ecologically unequal exchange in the mining sector. We argue that repressive nations create a "good business climate" for mining companies via economic incentives (e.g., tax holidays) and regulatory concessions (e.g., environmental law exemptions, labor flexibility, and imposed political stability). The key finding is that mining export flows increase forest loss more in repressive rather than democratic nations.