Making Resource Contracts Publicly Accessible

Two online databases of contracts from around the world: ResourceContracts.org and OpenLandContracts.org

CCSI, together with the World Bank and Natural Resource Governance Institute, has developed ResourceContracts.org, an online, searchable and user-friendly database of publicly available oil, gas and mining contracts from around the world. Users can search contracts by country, by natural resource or by type of contract; view summaries of key social, environmental, fiscal, and operational provisions; and download full contracts. ResourceContracts.org is still in beta version; when fully developed, the website will include more tools for improved understanding of resource contracts, including tools for comparative analysis of contract provisions. The database is continuously updated with contracts; if you are aware of publicly available contracts that are not included, we would be grateful to be notified.

The availability of contracts in accessible form to the general public equips citizens, leaders and the media with an indispensable tool for understanding the management of natural resources, and thus for building a climate of stronger accountability and trust, political stability and economic development.

Opening up land contracts: In October 2015, the database was expanded to include publicly available land contracts for commercial agriculture or forestry operations; these land contracts are accessible through OpenLandContracts.org. OpenLandContracts.org is the first searchable online repository of publicly available contracts for large land, agriculture and forestry projects. For more information, see this brochure or visit OpenLandContracts.org to view the contracts and review tools.

Supporting host governments to disclose contracts: A version of this database was piloted in Guinea at the Guinean’s government request. On February 15, 2013, Guinea launched a database of mining contracts, making publicly available more than 60 contract documents covering 18 mining projects. The government is committed to continuing to update the database with future contract and amendments. CCSI and its partners are continuing to identify countries interested in developing country-specific databases.