Working to increase backwards linkages from mining investment

During my MSc Development Studies degree at LSE, one of the topics that interested me most was Albert Hirschman’s concept of backwards linkages. Briefly, he defined backward linkage effects as when the establishment of a new industry creates possibilities for local industries to expand production through the supply of inputs to the new entrant to the economy. He argued that developing countries could benefit from creating backwards linkages whereby domestic enterprises would supply the operations of investing companies.