Simulation Modelling in Resource Management: A Sustainable Development Approach to Resource Extraction in Sierra Leone

This paper is a contribution to the urgent need for effective sustainable development strategies within the framework of Agenda 21 put forward at the 1992 World Conference on Environment and Development. It describes the development of a natural resource management model which is able to capture the economic, social and ecological variables that influence resource management. The model is validated and used to analyse policies available to government to regulate national development. Three policy approaches are analysed: the conservative policy approach, which allows mining activity to continue in its current state, and which is shown to lead to near-catastrophic environmental results; the radical policy approach, which would terminate all mining activities immediately, and which is shown not to be economically viable for an economy dependent on natural resources; and the harmonious policy approach, which is based upon the first two analyses and advocates a gradual reduction of mining activities whilst at the same time investing in intensive agricultural development. This third policy is then used as an approach to control environmental degradation through the gradual reduction of mining activities and the improvement of agriculture, with the objective of achieving sustainable development. The implementation strategies of this policy are also discussed.