Natural resources of Cambodia

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Natural resources in Cambodia come mainly from its forests and its water. Mineral resources are modest, and offshore oil and gas are possible but not yet a major part of the economy. The country also has a rich biodiversity and many flora and fauna.

Geography and land use help shape what is available. Cambodia has an undulating eastern plateau, a broad plain around Tonle Sap Lake, hills and mountains in the north and northeast, and the Cardamom Mountains in the southwest. In 2009, about 5.5 million hectares were suitable for farming, with around 4.1 million hectares actually being farmed. Most of the farming is for annual crops, with a smaller share for permanent crops.

Water is Cambodia’s dominant resource. The Mekong River and Tonle Sap Great Lake form the core of the hydrological system. In the rainy season (July to October), water from the Mekong feeds the Tonle Sap River, expanding the lake from about 2,600 square kilometers to as much as 10,500 square kilometers. The Tonle Sap Lake can hold about 72 cubic kilometers of water. In the dry season, water flows back from the lake into the Mekong. About 86% of Cambodia lies in the Mekong basin, while the remaining 14% drains to the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia holds a large portion of the Mekong’s catchment area and has more than 120 cubic kilometers of internal renewable water resources. The country’s potential for hydroelectric power is significant, especially in the middle Mekong near Stoeng Treng and Kracheh. The Lower Se San 2 Dam began operating in 2017, with full operation aimed for 2018. A planned Stung Treng Dam was expected to produce about 4,870 gigawatt-hours per year.

Forests cover about 70% of Cambodia and are a major part of its economy alongside agriculture. Forests include evergreen, semi-evergreen, deciduous, swamp, mangrove, and bamboo, with many areas re-growing or planted. About 10% of Cambodia’s flora is endemic. A unique seasonally flooded forest lies around Tonle Sap, and mangroves line the southern coast. Forest products like timber and firewood are important, though forest use has caused deforestation in the past. In the 1960s Cambodia had extensive forests, but decades of conflict and poor security slowed exploitation. Timber production has been linked to child labor concerns and a shift toward reforestation plans with neighbors. Forests, alongside agriculture, are a key part of the economy and biodiversity.

Cambodia’s people have historically relied on wood for energy. In 2010, wood accounted for most of the country’s energy, with about 80% of total energy consumption coming from wood. Rural households depended heavily on wood, charcoal, kerosene, and car batteries for energy, and it was expected that wood fuels would remain the main cooking energy source in rural areas for years to come.

Mineral resources are present but not large. In 2005, mining and quarrying contributed only about 0.39% of gross domestic product and employed around 19,000 people. Oil exploration has a long history: Cambodia was granted a permit in 1969 to explore petroleum in the Gulf of Thailand, but early work found nothing and exploration stopped after 1975. New offshore discoveries elsewhere in the region have renewed interest, and one field in Cambodia’s offshore area (Apsara) saw attempts in the early 2020s that did not meet expectations.

Cambodia is one of the most biodiverse countries in Southeast Asia. Its natural wealth—forests, wetlands, rivers, and a variety of plants and animals—faces pressure from development, but the country also has ongoing plans to conserve and manage its biodiversity for the long term.