Benefit-cost assessment programs: Costa Rica case study

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Materials and Society; (United States)

OSTI ID:6918536

Clark, A L ^[1]; Trocki, L K ^[2]

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1. East-West Center, Honolulu, HI (United States)
2. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)

An assessment of mineral potential, in terms of types and numbers of deposits, approximate location and associated tonnage and grades, is a valuable input to a nation's economic planning and mineral policy development. This study provides a methodology for applying benefit-cost analysis to mineral resource assessment programs, both to determine the cost effectiveness of resource assessments and to ascertain future benefits to the nation. In a case study of Costa Rica, the benefit-cost ratio of a resource assessment program was computed to be a minimum of 4:1 ($10.6 million to $2.5 million), not including the economic benefits accuring from the creation of 800 mining sector and 1,200 support services jobs. The benefit-cost ratio would be considerably higher if presently proposed revisions of mineral policy were implemented and benefits could be defined for Costa Rica.

• OSTI ID: 6918536
• Journal Information: Materials and Society; (United States), Journal Name: Materials and Society; (United States) Vol. 15:4; ISSN 0146-6399; ISSN MSOCDX
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290201 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics-- (1992-)
290400* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
CENTRAL AMERICA
COPPER
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
COSTA RICA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ECONOMICS
ELEMENTS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GOLD
LATIN AMERICA
MANGANESE
METALS
MINING
NICKEL
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
TRANSITION ELEMENTS