From BBC News:

Developing economies could better ride the current financial crisis with more effective maintenance of their natural resources, according to a new report.

The report, from Natural Resource Charter, is here. I haven’t read it, although I am sure it would be interesting. The article references Paul Collier, who pushes a fairly simple system for straight auctions of commodities. It’s worth noting that to some extent, this already happens with commodity extraction rights - so maybe it’s a call to do that better. (The journalists could do better with the headline too: ‘Africa urged to auction commodities’?) However, if they are pushing for African countries to auction raw diamonds, coal and whatever, then they’re recommending a highly statist approach in which governments own the extraction plant and companies. That would be a step backwards. More clever public contract managers (with performance bonuses) in government would be a better solution.