Vlado Vivoda

University of Queensland | UQ · Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining

INTRODUCTION The development of gas and oil from unconventional reservoirs, whether shale or coal bed, has the potential to transform world energy markets, providing the opportunity to a number of nations in the developed and developing world to become energy self-sufficient. The prospect for a cleaner source of fossil fuel energy is compelling in...

This chapter analyses the changing balance of power in the international oil industry in the 2000s. It demonstrates that since the 1990s, the international oil industry has shifted from a cooperative to a conflictive phase characterised by resurgent resource nationalism and unfavourable bargaining outcomes in the 2000s. As illustrated by the exampl...

For a country already uneasy about energy security, the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which caused a nuclear catastrophe at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, turned pre-existing Japanese concern about the availability of energy into outright anxiety. The subsequent closure of many nuclear reactors meant Japan needed to replace lost power quickly an...

In the context of a global shift towards low-carbon energy systems, this paper provides an in-depth analysis of deep-sea mining's (DSM) potential role in enhancing global energy security. Addressing the growing demand for critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles (EVs), and energy storage systems, the paper examin...

🎓 Excited to Announce Our Latest Publication! Our new paper, "Casting Ambiguity: Securitization of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena in the United States," has just been published in Alternatives: Global, Local, Political. This collaborative effort with Ghaleb Krame, Vlado Vivoda, and Tamir Bar-On examines the shifting narrative of UAPs within the...

This study examines the evolving securitization of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) in the United States (U.S.), utilizing the Copenhagen School’s theory to illustrate a significant shift in the Pentagon’s discourse, moving from outright dismissal to a nuanced acknowledgment of UAPs. By engaging with and expanding upon the UFO taboo discussi...

The global transition to low-carbon energy systems has dramatically increased the demand for lithium, essential for energy storage and transport electrification—with lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries as the dominant technology in both market segments. However, the majority control of its downstream processing by China present challenges. Enter the Son...

In an era when critical minerals have become the cornerstone of technological advancement and economic security, the evolution of geopolitical trading blocs signifies a transformative phase in international relations. This paper critically examines the evolving landscape of global trade, characterized by the stratification of nations into competing...

This study elucidates the emerging concept of “friend-shoring,” a strategy anchored in fortifying supply chains through political and strategic alignment. Central to our investigation is the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), representing the first strategic application of the friend-shoring principle. The MSP unites nations committed to forging...

The construction of Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam is a fait accompli. By 2022, around 90 per cent of its construction had been completed, but only two of the 13 turbines were producing electricity, and so uncertainty remains over the dam’s impact on the Nile’s downstream countries. After protracted negotiations between Ethiopia, where the waters origi...

This study examines the evolution of drone tactics employed by drug cartels in Mexico from 2017 to 2022. The research delves into the increasing sophistication of drone technology, payload capacities, and adaptability of cartels in employing airborne drones in low-intensity conflicts. The research highlights the increasing reliance on drones for va...

As the world moves towards net-zero emissions, ensuring a secure, sustainable, and ethical supply of critical minerals like copper, nickel, cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements (REEs) becomes increasingly crucial for clean energy technologies. With China controlling the majority of global critical mineral production and processing, geopolitical...

The proliferation of drones and related technologies has had a profound impact on the operations and tactics of both drug cartels and law enforcement agencies in Mexico. In response to this, this study utilizes a SWOT analysis methodology to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of drone use for drug cartels and Mexican law enforcement agencies, and...

Oil theft refers to the exploitation of crude oil or refined petroleum products for criminal purposes. In Mexico, oil theft - referred to as huachicolero - is endemic and widespread. By framing it within the energy security and transition context, this paper offers a new perspective on the problem of oil theft in Mexico. Focusing on crude oil and r...

Global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) has doubled over the past decade. The long-term outlook for natural gas is strongest among the fossil fuels. Specifically, LNG is expected to play an increasing role in meeting global natural gas demand, as it provides a flexible link between geographically separated suppliers and customers. In the cont...

Previously published studies on Australia's energy security did not examine the country's domestic energy security situation in tandem with its international energy statecraft. This paper fills this research gap. In order to provide a robust analysis of a country's strategic options in the energy sector, it is paramount to balance domestic and inte...

The Australian Energy Transition Research Plan, developed by the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) in consultation with key stakeholders, identified key research priorities across three themes. This paper, on Transition Dynamics, expands the third theme, reviewing existing research to identify key research gaps to address immediate an...

Debates about safeguarding the rights of people displaced by mining focus on three levels of governance. The first is the international system of sustainability polices and performance standards preferred by lenders such as the World Bank and the IFC. The second is the commitments and enacted performance of mining corporations. The third is the cou...

“What do you think the Mine of 2030 will be like?” Animated by this question, The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute 2018 Master Class on “Mining and Society in the 21st Century” developed a vision of an ideal future for the mining industry in 2030. Discussions explored the means to accelerate the industry’s current trajecto...

The absence of legal criteria to support the responsible closure of large-scale mines is a significant global issue. Mine closure regulation primarily focuses on the physical aspects of mining, with limited attention paid to social aspects of mine closure. This paper examines the extent to which regulatory instruments across three major Australian...

Asia's share of global demand for natural gas has increased from 12 to 21 per cent since the turn of the century, and the overall consumption has more than doubled. At the same time, there is a widening gap between regional natural gas demand and supply, with increasing reliance on imports. In 2017, Asian importers absorbed 72 per cent of globally...

This paper analyses the effect of the March 11, 2011 (3/11) disaster on bilateral relations between Australia and Japan. It explores key areas of cooperation and conflict in the bilateral relationship and evaluates the extent to which these were affected by the Fukushima disaster. While the main focus is on bilateral energy relations, the paper als...

This paper analyses the effect of the March 11, 2011 (3/11) disaster on bilateral relations between Australia and Japan. It explores key areas of cooperation and conflict in the bilateral relationship and evaluates the extent to which these were affected by the Fukushima disaster. While the main focus is on bilateral energy relations, the paper als...

Cambridge Core - Law and Economics - Handbook of Shale Gas Law and Policy - edited by Hunter Tina

This study establishes new knowledge about country-level mining industry associations with respect to sustainable development. Industry associations present an opportunity for diffusion of leading practice norms and standards in this arena. We examined the emergence of mining industry associations, their public statements about sustainability, and...

A Framework for Social Impact Assessment for a shale gas industry in the Northern Territory, Australia

This chapter analyses the major issues associated with regulatory gover-nance of foreign mining investment in the Asia-Pacific Region. After surveying relevant literature on regulatory regimes, the chapter draws on the seminal work of Stern and Holder to evaluate the major regulatory governance issues in China, India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, a...

Activity in the mining industry in the Asia-Pacific Region has surged during the last 25 years, as growing populations, higher personal incomes, and increased demand for goods, services, and infrastructure—particularly in China and India—have led to large-scale building programs and rising energy consumption. This has intensified the use of mineral...

A range of social, political, and economic factors determine where mining companies invest their scarce capital. This chapter identifies nine areas of risk that investors need to consider before investing in the sector. These include high sunk costs, the finite life of a deposit, and the long period to achieve a positive financial return. Add to th...

This chapter analyses change and continuity in the regional approach to LNG markets since 2010, focusing, in particular, on Japan, the world's largest LNG importer. The primary focus is on natural gas markets in the region as opposed to extraction, production and/or domestic regulation in producing states in the Asia-Pacific Region. This approach i...

Please check the hierarchy of the section headings and confirm if correct.

The primary aim of the report is to understand the mechanisms and instruments that governments are using to manage resettlement risks in the mining sector. Key findings show that the existing international standards have been unevenly incorporated into national frameworks.The study authors compare legally binding instruments related to mining induc...

In-migration associated with economic opportunity, or project-induced in-migration, is a common phenomenon. This same phenomenon can also negatively affect the project area and host communities, especially with regards to environmental, social and health issues. These negative effects can in turn create social and business risks that jeopardise ope...

Myanmar is undergoing rapid political, economic and social transition. This paper examines the regulatory governance of Myanmar’s extractive industries amidst this reform process. Based on the literature review, the paper develops an evaluative framework for assessing regulatory governance in the extractive industries, which includes six criteria:...

This paper analyses the governance of foreign mining investment in the Asia-Pacific region. After surveying relevant literature on regulatory regimes, the paper draws on the seminal work by Stern and Holder (1999) to evaluate the regulatory issues in China, India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. Our analyses indicate six key region...

The aftermath of the Fukushima disaster, the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl, has seen a public debate emerge over the future desirability of nuclear power in Japan. While Japanese citizens’ suspicion of nuclear power has grown, the nuclear industry and electricity utilities have called on the central government to recommission the country’s...

Australia and Japan have much in common. Both countries are developed economies, located in the Asia-Pacific region, and are members of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Given these general similarities, one would anticipate that their governments adopt similar approaches to energy markets. However, this chapter demonstrates that there is much...

Many assessments of the promise and pitfalls to shale gas development are incomplete. They tend to focus primarily on the benefits for electricity generation and gas producers, and therefore only address in a limited way the impact shale gas has on wider issues such as energy security and stewardship. We expand on the existing literature by conside...

This chapter examines at how one group of actors – global companies – make national regulation. In order to understand this influence, we analyze the nature of regulation and its various forms. We then survey a range of specific 'tools' used by global companies to shape the regulation agenda in such a way as to benefit them. These mechanisms includ...

Asia's share of global demand for natural gas has increased from 13 to 18 per cent over the past decade, and the overall consumption has nearly doubled. At the same time, there is a growing gap between regional natural gas demand and supply, with increasing reliance on imports. Regional liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports are forecast to increase b...

This study explores how Asian energy security issues are perceived in China, India, and Japan. It investigates perceptions of 16 energy security challenges drawn from an extensive survey, as well as how such conceptions differ between Asian energy consumers and across these dimensions of energy security.

If energy security is defined as the availability of energy at all times in various forms, in sufficient quantities and at affordable prices, without unacceptable or irreversible impact on the economy and the environment, Japan is facing an energy security predicament. For a country that was already uneasy about energy security, the March 11, 2011...

This paper establishes a model for analyzing the dynamics of the host state-international oil company (IOC) bargaining relationship. Theoretically, the model advances our ability to investigate bargaining dynamics between host states, oil companies and other stakeholders in the oil industry. It is a mechanism which simplifies the complex array of r...

In this article, we explore why oil import patterns differ between states with a view to understanding the relationship between agent-based explanations such as strategy and structural explanations-for example, geography. We compare degree of diversification between China and Japan in an effort to explore the relationship between agency and structu...

This paper establishes a model for analyzing the dynamics of the host state-international oil company (IOC) bargaining relationship. Theoretically, the model advances our ability to investigate bargaining dynamics between host states, oil companies and other stakeholders in the oil industry. It is a sophisticated mechanism which identifies the comp...

This paper establishes an ‘energy security assessment instrument’ based on a new and expanded conceptualisation of energy security. The instrument is a systematic interrogative tool for evaluating energy security of individual states or regions. It consists of eleven broad energy security dimensions associated with the current global energy system....

This article evaluates the importance of US international oil companies (IOCs) for US energy security and is particularly important given the absence of scholarly analysis of the subject area in both the energy security and international business literature. The analysis suggests that the interests of US IOCs and the US Government have not been exc...

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This paper explores the relationship between the diversification of sources of imported oil and energy security of oil-importing countries. It examines the importance of diversification policy for oil importers, explains why oil importers implement oil diversification policy, and contextualizes the oil import diversification strategy in the overall...

This paper establishes a novel understanding of the nature and implications of China's rise. By borrowing Robert Gilpin's concept of sub-optimisation, it is argued that China is the most prominent player in a non-Western subgroup's suboptimisation strategy, which undermines the Western-dominated neoliberal capitalist system, or the Washington Conse...

This paper assesses the performance of the regulatory regime for foreign mining investment in the Philippines. Based on this, it outlines policy recommendations for the Philippine government, which, if implemented, are likely to improve the governance infrastructure in the sector and, in turn, reduce regulatory risk for foreign mining investors and...

This book centres on studying intricate bargaining relationships between the major actors in the highly politicised oil industry. By covering the period between 1998 and 2007, this study focuses exclusively on contemporary bargaining in the oil industry. In the current decade, which unlike previous two cooperative decades, can be characterised as c...

The focus of this paper is the contemporary conditions for major international oil companies' (IOCs) investment in oil producing states, with particular focus on their current and future potential for success in Iraq. The main argument is that major Anglo- American IOCs will not be able to establish a firm foothold in Iraq, a country with the world...