Mineral Resources and the Salience of Ethnic Identities

Abstract This paper shows how ethnic identities may become more salient due to natural resources extraction. We combine individual data on the strength of ethnic—relative national—identities with geo-localised information contours homelands, and timing location mineral exploitation in 25 African countries, from 2005 2015. Our strategy takes advantage several dimensions exposure exploitation: time, spatial proximity proximity. find that an group identity increases when resource group’s historical homeland intensifies. argue this result is at least partly rooted feelings relative deprivation associated resources. show such has limited positive economic spillovers, especially for members indigenous group; link between salience reinforced among powerless groups strong baseline or living poorer areas, areas a history conflict. Put together, these findings suggest new dimension curse: fragmentation identities, nations.