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. 

Six reasons why COVID-19 response planning should prioritise ASM communities

Adam Rolfe & Estelle Levin-Nally, with contributions from Holger Grundel 2020 English

As the world’s priorities are reshaped by the COVID-19 crisis, Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) communities should not be overlooked.

The Impact of COVID-19 on ASM Communities in Northern Tanzania

Elard Mawala, Lotte Hoex, Mieke Thierens 2020 English

Set up as a small qualitative scoping study, this IPIS Insight aims to highlight key elements of the socio-economic impact of Covid-19 measures and restrictions on artisanal mining communities in northern Tanzania, as observed by selected members of these mining communities.

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. 

Thoughts on How to do Gender Inclusion Right in ASM.

Olivia Lyster 2020 English

Women play a critical role in the ASM sector. Women were estimated in 2003 to make up 30% of the ASM workforce globally. Today it may be much higher – estimates from some countries reach 50% on average, and higher in some mineral categories (e.g. salt mining in Uganda). Despite this, women experience a number of gendered barriers to full participation in ASM. 

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. 

Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) and COVID-19: Responding to the pandemic

Alec Crawford, Olivia Lyster, Adam Rolfe 2020 English

This brief outlines some of the main challenges to ASM sector support and regulation in the context of the global pandemic and points tentatively to how governments can move forward with effective ASM sector management in the coming months.

Artisanal Gold Mining Communities are on the Verge of a Crisis- The View from Choco, Colombia

Kenneth Porter, Artisanal Gold Council 2020 English

The liquidity crisis affecting artisanal gold mining communities around the globe has the potential to turn into a humanitarian crisis. As miners’ ability to sell their gold for cash deteriorates, the growing concern is that miners will be left with gold in their pockets but no food on the table.  The most at risk are those rural and isolated communities whose economies are almost entirely dependent on gold, such as Choco, Colombia.

Artisanal Gold Communities as Prime COVID-19 Intervention Targets: Supply Chain Reform, Health In Gold Out

Shawn Blore, Marieke Kroll, Kevin Telmer 2020 English

In this paper, the AGC announces its three signal interventions for dealing with the crisis in ASGM communities brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic: (i) Supply Chain Reform Project – a project to restart and reform artisanal gold supply chains; (ii) Health In Gold Out – a project to deliver health assistance via this gold stakeholder network; and (iii) Artisanal Gold Prices Database – a project to monitor these interventions via a worldwide database of artisanal gold prices.

A Call to Action: Mitigating Impacts of COVID-19 on Artisanal Gold Mining Communities

Artisanal Gold Council 2020 English