Michiko Ishisone

Rather than utilizing their resources for economic growth and socio-economic development, many African countries with abundant natural resources have suffered from economic depression. This phenomenon is called the Resource Curse or the Paradox of Plenty. Over the last few years, the rising demands for natural resources in emerging countries have stimulated the market price. Furthermore, due to the remarkable increase in oil and mineral prices in recent years, some African countries have experienced greater economic growth than ever before. However, the quality of life in extractive communities remains unchanged or has deteriorated despite the country s prosperity. Michiko is interested in researching the distributional structure of natural resources within a country by conducting a case study on copper mining in Zambia. In particular, her research will focus on the historical relationship between local livelihoods and mineral resources in the mining community of Copperbelt.