MSD Methodology : Short Description

Overview & Synopsis

This document describes the methodology of the Mining Sector Diagnostic (MSD), a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for assessing the governance, management, and performance of a country’s mining sector. The MSD evaluates legal and policy frameworks, institutional arrangements, implementation practices, stakeholder engagement, and sector performance across the extractive industries value chain. The assessment combines desk research of laws, regulations, and official documentation with in-country interviews involving government, industry, and civil society stakeholders to measure both the legal framework (de jure) and implementation in practice (de facto). Using a structured questionnaire and a standardized scoring system, the MSD generates comparable indicators and topic scores that identify strengths, weaknesses, and reform priorities. The methodology is designed to provide actionable insights for policymakers, support evidence-based decision making, and facilitate cross-country comparisons of mining sector governance and performance.