{"id":20075115,"date":"2021-06-30T00:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-29T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thethirdpole.net\/?p=75115"},"modified":"2022-01-12T20:34:38","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T15:04:38","slug":"what-is-the-cost-of-bhutans-mining-boom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/water\/what-is-the-cost-of-bhutans-mining-boom\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the cost of Bhutan\u2019s mining boom?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thick forest covers most<\/a> of Bhutan, making the tiny Himalayan nation famous for its pristine natural landscape. But increasingly, a stark sight is appearing amid the lush greenery: across the country, mines are springing up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the issuance of new licences, the past decade has ushered in a golden age for mining in Bhutan. As of 2013<\/a>, the latest year for which official data is available, there were 27 mines and 46 quarries in operation, from just 17 mines and 10 quarries in 2006.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sector has long been embroiled in controversies and criticised for putting corporate interests before people and the environment. Critics say that the current system benefits only a few rich individuals while burdening local communities with a host of environmental impacts, from air pollution to road and infrastructure destruction and poorly managed waste. Corruption allegations are rife. As the mining industry grows, Bhutan is struggling to reform<\/a> it and its chronic issues are becoming more severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The government acknowledges that mining and quarrying have an impact on the environment, stripping vast swathes of land of their vegetation and affecting ground stability and water reserves. But it has also stated that taking advantage of the country\u2019s rich mineral resources can help the economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The golden age of mining<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mineral deposits in Bhutan include a vast wealth of resources such as coal, dolomite, limestone, slate and copper. According to the 2017 Mineral Development Policy, 33% of the country has been geologically mapped on a scale detailed enough to enable exploration. Currently, only 0.04% of land is used for mining activities. Despite its relatively small size, the sector is due to play a significant role in Bhutan\u2019s economic development, and the government is determined to tap into the potential of its unexplored resources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loknath Sharma, the minister for economic affairs, told The Third Pole<\/a> that there is a need for resource mapping of the country to enhance geological information, and create an environment for attracting investment and promoting the sustainable development of mineral reserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharma said that Bhutan\u2019s mining sector accounted for 4.81% of gross domestic product in 2019, and supplies more than half of the top-10 export commodities. The sector also plays a vital role in revenue generation, he added. Mining is becoming increasingly strategic for Bhutan as it strives to diversify its revenue streams and reduce the gap between its imports and exports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n