Key Publications

ASGM is a largely informal entrepreneurial activity that has become vital to the economic structure and fabric of many countries. In order for artisanal and small-scale mining to transition away from being a predominantly informal activity linked to social and environmental problems, and towards a formal, professional and respected livelihood activity, miners will require the business infrastructure, financial literacy and planning skills necessary to secure loans and seek out new investors.

The training curriculum is available in English, French, and Spanish.

This curriculum is intended to introduce the ASGM sector to potential financiers and investors. These teaching and learning materials are meant to be used as basic materials than can be modified and adapted to suit the investor audience.

Click here to download the accompanying ASGM for Financiers PowerPoint slide deck

The materials housed on this resource page were shared as part of workshops and virtual information exchanges on financial inclusion topics, held by The Impact Facility. 

The webpage contains meeting summaries and recordings of the virtual information exchange meetings in English, French and Spanish.

The purpose of this guide is to help in compiling supporting documents for the purposes of obtaining financing for Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) businesses. Given the diversity of ASGM operations, this guide provides an overview of the creation of three types of business organizations: 1) Sole Proprietorship for Individual Miners, 2) Partnership or Small Business, and 3) Corporation. This is followed by a discussion on each of the business plan elements. Also available in French and Spanish.

This report summarizes the clean technology transfer activities and strategies undertaken by the planetGOLD Colombia project. Also available in French and Spanish.

Consistent with project objectives to promote the elimination of mercury use in the ASGM sector, the planetGOLD Guyana project’s technology transfer approach included both demonstration of prospecting and exploration technologies for ASGM and establishing mercury-free demonstration sites. This report summarizes the technology transfer activities undertaken by the planetGOLD Guyana project.

Also available in French and Spanish

The planetGOLD programme sets out specific criteria to govern the operations of artisanal and small-scale gold mining entities engaged with the programme. The planetGOLD Criteria align with the CRAFT Code, and include three criteria that are specific to the planetGOLD programme: eliminating mercury in the mining process, respecting and protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and minimizing impact on biodiversity. Conformance with this criteria will ensure that artisanal and small-scale miners participating in the planetGOLD programme undertake sufficient efforts to avoid, minimize, mitigate, and where appropriate, offset adverse impacts to people and the environment.

Also available in French and Spanish

Despite producing an estimated 20% of the world’s annual supply of newly mined gold, the ASGM sector has traditionally had challenges connecting with the formal world gold market. While numerous formal buyers are eager for gold produced by artisanal and small-scale gold miners, meeting rigorous standards for due diligence standards and responsible sourcing poses a challenge. This study examines the role that can be played by supply chain technologies in facilitating conformity with the planetGOLD Criteria by looking at specific types of supply chain solutions, including due diligence, traceability and block-chain solutions, and analyzing their capacity for establishing and strengthening market links between planetGOLD producers and formal gold market buyers. Also available in French and Spanish

The materials included on this webpage were shared as part of trainings held by the Alliance for Responsible Mining on August 15-16, 2024, on market access and the planetGOLD Criteria for Environmentally and Socially Responsible Operations. Learning toolboxes with guides and training modules are available in English, French and Spanish.

This guide focuses on occupational safety and health issues related to ASM, with an emphasis on gold mining. The guide is intended for managers of projects working with mine operations, as well as mine operators themselves, who want to improve OSH, in the context of professionalizing ASGM operations. The guide offers practical information about ways to manage on-the-ground challenges in OSH and provides a general understanding of OSH risk management approaches. 

This report summarizes and analyzes gaps in the available educational and training material from projects and initiatives dealing with occupational safety and health (OSH) in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASGM) sector. The review focused on cataloguing the various technical aspects of OSH that are covered by the materials, but also examined the presentation of strategies and methodologies to manage hazard exposure, communication and awareness raising. 

This report compiles five case studies highlighting innovative approaches to improving occupational health and safety (OSH) in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). Across different countries and contexts, these initiatives demonstrate practical strategies for addressing safety risks, enhancing working conditions, and fostering greater awareness among miners. 

Also available in French and Spanish

This report highlights findings from existing literature on OSH in Artisanal and Small-Scale ining. A comprehensive literature review confirms the multiplicity of inherent hazards in ASM, compromised OSH and gendered disparities pointing to the urgent need for enhanced OSH measures tailored to gendered OSH needs as well as the unique challenges faced in the sector. Through analyzing current conditions and identifying gaps in OSH, this report seeks to provide a roadmap and actionable recommendations for improving miners' health and safety outcomes for both men and women across various ASM contexts.