SOAS Research Online

Abstract

Chapter One provides an introduction to the thesis and outlines a theoretical model of an impact study which enables the economic role of mining to be studied in the subsequent chapters. Chapter Two first analyses the geological formation of the Arab Middle East and then outlines the major nonhydrocarbon mineral deposits in the region. Chapter Three provides a brief history of mining in the region before reviewing current mineral production in each country. Chapter Four examines employment in the mining sector and highlights the differences between the countries of the region. Chapter Five deals with the volume and direction of mineral trade including downstream mineral products. Chapter Six uses the impact model to analyse the role of the mining sector in the national economies of the Arab Middle East. It shows that its role is significantly more important than it might initially appear. Chapter Seven studies the role of mining in regional economic development. It concentrates on four regions in the Arab Middle East which illustrate the various stages of mineral development. These are the Algerian-Tunisian frontier region, central Jordan, northern Oman and the Red Sea Hills of Sudan. Chapter Eight draws the strands of the thesis together and provides specific conclusions before suggesting future areas of research on non-hydrocarbon mining in the Arab Middle East.