Phosphate Mining in Beaufort County, North Carolina: A Case Study of Economic Opportunity (2011)

Undergraduate: Benjamin Brumley

Faculty Advisor: Rebecca Dobbs
Department: Psychology & Neuroscience

---

Over the course of the last few decades a large body of research has specifically focused on the role that natural resources play in economic development. Though it might be thought that an abundance of natural resources (e.g. extractive minerals) contributes to economic development of the host state, there exists well documented instances of the presence of resources hindering true economic development. Along this line, the purpose of this project is to draw attention to Beaufort County’s recent efforts to expand phosphate mining in the county and isolate factors important to this decision.