Laos

Laos has a long history of mining, dating back over a thousand years. The country has rich deposits of minerals such as gold, copper, tin, iron, and gypsum. Before the colonial period, small-scale mining activities were primarily carried out by local communities, using traditional methods and tools.

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During the French colonial period, the mining industry in Laos was heavily focused on exploiting tin and copper deposits. However, after gaining independence, Laos experienced a decline in its mining sector due to a lack of investment and political instability. It was not until the 1990s that the government began to promote the mining industry again, by opening up the sector to foreign investment, and creating a legal framework to regulate mining activities. Today, mining remains an important sector of the Lao economy, accounting for a significant portion of the country's export earnings. However, there are concerns about the environmental impacts and social costs of mining activities.