Resources

Knowledge-sharing in ASM Communities: Mercury, Technology, and Sustainability in Developing Countries

Spiegel, S. J., & Veiga, M. M. English

While various past development efforts have sought to reduce mercury-related problems, we conclude that sustainable development should seek to intertwine knowledge-sharing on environmental goals with concrete ways of improving economic well-being. We demonstrate how such models of knowledge-sharing can help to catalyze local innovation, technology-sharing and community organization. This paper discusses how this knowledge can be applied by governments to create capacity building policies as well as regulations that support sustained improvement in mining standards. 

ASM, Responsible Sourcing and COVID-19-An Initial Analysis

Adam Rolfe and Levin Sources experts 2020 English

In this initial blog on the novel coronavirus, Levin Sources seeks to grapple with how the rapidly evolving context could impact responsible mineral supply chains and the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector. 

Unlocking Opportunities for Women and Business: A toolkit of Actions and Strategies for Oil, Gas and Mining Companies

International Finance Corporation 2018 English

A growing number of oil, gas, and mining companies have committed to create more diverse, gender-balanced, inclusive industries – recognizing that it is not only the right thing to do, but it also makes business sense. To help oil, gas, and mining companies to meet their gender goals, IFC has developed this toolkit.

Handbook: Developing National ASGM Formalization Strategies within National Action Plans

UNEP, UNITAR 2018 English

This document aims to assist countries to develop artisanal and small-scale gold mining formalization strategies as part of their National Action Plans under the Minamata Convention on Mercury. 

Assessing Drivers for “Formalization Readiness” in ASM Communities in Kenya: Understanding the Role of Cooperatives

CIRDI 2020 English

This study came at the request of the Kenyan State Department of Mining. Given the emphasis on ASM cooperatives in supporting the formalization process within national and county government policy, this study seeks to better understand what cooperatives need to successfully form, and how the government can best support cooperatives in the formalization process. 

Addressing Forced Labor in Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASM) A Practitioner’s Toolkit

Alliance for Responsible Mining 2014 English

Managing the risk of forced labor in ASM is complex. Strategies to tackle it must address the double objective of eradicating forced labor and making sure that innocent people who rely on Artisanal and Small-scale Mining for their livelihoods are not excluded from mineral supply chains. ASM is a poverty-alleviating activity that directly and indirectly employs hundreds of millions of people around the world; excluding ASM from mineral supply chains could have a terrible impact on their livelihoods. The aim of this toolkit is to provide a handson approach that will help organizations, companies and government institutions to cooperate with artisanal miners rather than exclude them.

USAID: Sector Environmental Guideline (SEG): ASM

Battelle and The Cadmus Group, Inc. USAID 2017 English

These guidelines are designed for project managers, project implementers, practitioners, or others working on development or environmental management projects that could impact ASM projects or communities that engage in ASM.  This document addresses: (1) impact of development projects on ASM; (2) impacts of ASM on the environment, health, and socio-political systems; (3) best practices on mitigation measures for minimizing impacts of ASM; (4) impact of climate change on ASM; and (5) impact of ASM on climate change. 

A Golden Opportunity: Scoping Study of Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining in Zimbabwe

Pact Institute 2015 English

This report includes findings and recommendations from Pact's scoping study of the ASM sector in Zimbabwe.

Women of Gold

The Golden Line/Solidaridad 2019 English

This video tells the story of Anna, a female mine worker in Tanzania. Tanzania is the fourth-largest producer of gold in Africa. In Tanzania, approximately 25 percent of all people directly involved in artisanal and small-scale gold mines (ASGM), are women.

Collection of reports as published by Balifokus covering a number of topics.

Balikfokus English