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The economics of landmine clearance: case study of Cambodia

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  • Geoff Harris

    (School of Economics and Management, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa)

Abstract

This paper identifies and prices the costs and benefits of locating and dealing with landmines in Cambodia, one of the world's most heavily mined countries. The three main benefits are the saved costs in terms of human productivity, medical treatment and foregone agricultural production. The annual costs of completely de-mining the country over 25 years are estimated to be $US140 million whereas the annual benefits are only $0.7 million. Using a 10 per cent discount rate, the total de-mining expenditure (in present values) of $3,500 million would result in a net present value of −$3,434 million. An alternative set of assumptions, including a halving of the costs of de-mining over 25 years, produces net present values of more than −$400 million. These results have at least two important implications: there is crucial need to bring down the cost of de-mining and policymakers concerned to maximize the welfare of the Cambodian people should consider alternatives to de-mining. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Geoff Harris, 2000. "The economics of landmine clearance: case study of Cambodia," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 12(2), pages 219-225.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:12:y:2000:i:2:p:219-225
    DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1328(200003)12:2<219::AID-JID638>3.0.CO;2-M
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ted Paterson, 2001. "Commentary on 'The economics of landmine clearance: case study of Cambodia'," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 13(5), pages 629-634.
    2. Nuarpear Lekfuangfu, 2016. "Mortality Risk and Human Capital Investment: The Legacy of Landmines in Cambodia," PIER Discussion Papers 35, Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research.
    3. Perilla, Sergio & Prem, Mounu & Purroy, Miguel E. & Vargas, Juan F., 2024. "How peace saves lives: Evidence from Colombia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    4. Gibson, John & Barns, Sandra & Cameron, Michael & Lim, Steven & Scrimgeour, Frank & Tressler, John, 2007. "The Value of Statistical Life and the Economics of Landmine Clearance in Developing Countries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 512-531, March.
    5. Barns, Sandra A. & Cameron, Michael P. & Gibson, John & Lim, Steven & Marsh, Dan & Scrimgeour, Frank G. & Tressler, John, 2004. "Valuing the Risk of Death and Injury from Landmines in Thailand," 2004 Conference, June 25-26, 2004, Blenheim, New Zealand 97797, New Zealand Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
    6. Nuarpear Lekfuangfu, 2016. "Mortality Risk and Human Capital Investment: The Legacy of Landmines in Cambodia," PIER Discussion Papers 35., Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research, revised Jul 2016.
    7. Mitchell, Shannon K., 2004. "Death, Disability, Displaced Persons and Development: The Case of Landmines in Bosnia and Herzegovina," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 32(12), pages 2105-2120, December.
    8. Cameron, Michael P. & Gibson, John & Helmers, Kent & Lim, Steven & Scrimgeour, Frank G. & Tressler, John & Vaddanak, Kien, 2005. "Value of Life and Measuring the Benefits of Landmine Clearance in Cambodia," 2005 Conference (49th), February 9-11, 2005, Coff's Harbour, Australia 137799, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.

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