Mining development in relation to the origin of capital

The present development of Latin American mining depends on several factors, including the existence of natural resources, the geological knowledge of these resources in the countries, political stability to obtain long-term investments and, of course, the capital needed to stimulate this development. The author deals with all these aspects, but he concentrates on the need for capital —the importance of which is increasing in view of the current economic crisis— and above all, on the conditions that would increase the likelihood of obtaining foreign investments, since public and private national enterprises might not be able to cover this need by themselves. He thus suggests the design and application of formulas that take account of both foreign investment and the national interest, although it is recognized beforehand that such formulas are not easily transferable from one country to another.