International law is increasingly applied in the field of natural resources. This reflects the current and challenging problem of mankind, namely how should increasingly rare natural resources or commodities be explored and exploited. This collection draws on the experts in the field to explore questions such as mining and human rights; national resources and investment law; and authority over natural resources. Though asking probing questions from different sectors, each contribution keeps the big picture and the underlying conditions in mind to answer the collection’s research questions with one voice.

The growing importance of international investment law, fuelled by the processes of globalisation and the search for natural resources, and fostered by the ease of cross-border financial flows, has given rise to a huge expansion in the incidence of new investment treaties and, consequently, disputes. The complexity of this area and the enormous sums of investment involved mean that the agreements and treaties themselves are highly evolved, while the disputes arising are often hugely intricate and intractable. No area of international law is more in need of the careful and balanced attention of scholars. Anyone interested in international investment law will appreciate this comprehensive, thoughtful and detailed exploration of this area.