Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining as a challenge and possible contributor to Sustainable Development

Abstract

This paper explores the different challenges posed by Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) to Sustainable Development (SD), as well as proactive and unrealistic approaches in dealing with these challenges. Since there is no clear cut internationally acceptable definition of ASM, this paper considers ASM as the exploitation of marginal ore deposits, which are not profitable to mine on a large scale, through both informal (I/ASM) and formal channels (F/ASM) using rudimentary tools. I/ASM is illegal while F/ASM is legal and its activities are conducted under the approval of the presiding government. It is mainly I/ASM that poses disastrous challenges to SD. These can be classified into social, economic, environmental, safety and health and political challenges as expressed in the text.

The first move towards making ASM a sustainable livelihood is to recognise and formalise it. Peaceful and all-encompassing approaches have to be devised in order to formalise ASM because ASM is a significant source of livelihood for mainly the poor and those who are unemployable due to lack of professional skills, a vivid fact governments cannot afford to ignore. These approaches facilitate easy administration of the sector as miners are held accountable and since they would have been given legal mandate to exploit the mineral deposit. This paper also discusses barriers and challenges to implementation of proactive approaches to ASM. These include International laws like the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 together with international reforms such as Economic Structural Adjustment Programmes (ESAP).

Several proactive approaches which interested and affected parties can adopt to realise full returns and benefits from ASM are discussed at length in this paper.

Some reactive and unrealistic approaches which countries need to desist from in dealing with ASM challenges are also conveyed by this paper. DRC and Zimbabwe are discussed as country case studies to illustrate poor practices and good practices in dealing with ASM respectively.