Natural resources and energy
Mexico’s oil reforms aim to boost revenue
President Enrique Peña Nieto’s privatization efforts are an attempt to restart revenue generation in the oil sector, which had stalled. Nieto hopes greater tax revenue from the sector may help cover federal budget deficits.
Canadian aboriginal victory jeopardise energy projects
Late June, Canada’s Supreme Court granted the First Nations group Tsilhqot’in aboriginal title over a vast area of land in British Columbia. The ruling puts energy and natural resource projects there in
New round of sanctions likely to affect Russia’s energy projects
Russia’s continued support for Ukrainian separatists and the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 over Eastern Ukraine are likely to escalate the conflict. It will only prop up Western determination to
SEC implements ‘conflict mineral’ rule
The U.S. SEC’s ‘conflict mineral rule’ now requires companies to disclose their use of conflict minerals that originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or an adjoining country. The rule
Energy shortfall reshapes Japan’s foreign policy
Since the Fukushima disaster, Japan has been forced to import much of its energy. This has created significant geo-political and economic risks and has reshaped its foreign policy. In June,
Europe moves to reduce energy dependency on Russia
The Ukrainian crisis and sour relations with Russia highlight the need to address the EU’s energy security issues. The recent EU Ypres summit decision might be an important step in
Disputes from Maracanã to Marikana put pressure on mining
From Brazil to South Africa and beyond, disputes threaten to disrupt the extractive industry. More than ever, mining firms need to address their social and environmental costs in a sustainable way
Energy reform in Mexico still presents risks
Mexico’s energy reforms are necessary to revitalize the sector. If the reform process is any indication, however, foreign firms will be wise to enter with caution. So dear to Mexican
Midterm elections haunt fracking in Pennsylvania
The political momentum in America is turning the tide against development of the Marcellus Shale in the Keystone state. Pennsylvanian Governor Tom Corbett is facing a tough reelection in the
Sino-Russian natural gas deal transforms global energy markets
The Sino-Russian energy deal will have profound economic consequences for global energy markets and will have an impact on relations between Russia and the West. On 21 May, Russia and
