Attempts to ‘civilize' the exploitation of natural and mineral resources are globally promoted. The body of rules and regulations—often the outcome of prolonged socio-environmental and political struggles—is impressive. However, the outcomes of their implementation are much less convincing. The chapters in this book show how international law is curtailing national and local regulation, while existing legislation is often watered-down, circumvented, or reinterpreted with severe environmental, health, and socio-economic impacts, particularly in the ‘global south.'