Resources

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. 

Impacto del COVID-19 en la minería artesanal y de pequeña escala

Alliance for Responsible Mining 2020 Spanish

En el marco de la crisis mundial generada por el COVID-19, esta población se encuentra expuesta a situaciones de vulnerabilidad particulares que es urgente evaluar a nivel global, nacional y local con miras a tomar medidas que mitiguen su impacto.

La Realidad de la Minería Ilegal en Países Amazónicos

Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental (SPDA) 2014 Spanish

Este estudio nos ha permitido tener una visión detallada de la dimensión regional del problema, siendo uno de los hallazgos más relevantes la importante brecha de información oficial que limita el alcance y efectividad de las políticas de Estado para hacer frente a la minería ilegal e informal. A esta realidad se suma la heterogeneidad de criterios entre cada país para definir y medir los problemas de la ilegalidad e informalidad en minería. 

Working Together: How large-scale mining can engage with artisanal and small-scale miners

International Finance Corporation 2010 English

The interaction between large-scale mining companies and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) operations has not always been positive, and encounters between the two sectors are increasing. There are a number of ASM sustainable development challenges – including security, human rights and relocation programs – that can require specific ASM consideration.

Case Study: Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Madre de Dios, Peru

USAID English

While the ASGM sector is present across Peru, the department of Madre de Dios is the epicenter of illicit alluvial gold extraction and the accompanying deforestation. This case study examines the complex drivers behind ASGM sector expansion, the devastating impacts on biodiversity in the region, and the strategies implemented to address the impacts of ASGM in Madre de Dios by the Government of Peru.

Pulling at golden webs: Combating criminal consortia in the African artisanal and small-scale gold mining and trade sector

Marcena Hunter English

This report seeks to unpack how criminal consortia manipulate ASGM and associated gold flows to secure illicit rents and capture the sector. The findings highlight the need for nuance, especially regarding the role of informal and traditional actors in the sector. Through a more holistic understanding of the challenge, policymakers will better be able to identify and combat criminal consortia in ASGM.

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.

The Formalisation of Artisanal Mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda

International Peace Information Service 2013 English

This report describes and evaluates initiatives to formalise the artisanal mining sector in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, in order to locate lessons learned.

COVID-19 – Call to Action for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains

OECD English

By the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Group of the implemention programme for the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains

Health responses to COVID-19 in the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining sector: Mitigating the risk of infiltration, spread and severity

Mareike Kroll and Kevin Telmer 2020 English

The looming third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have devastating impacts in many countries in the Global South, with far worse health outcomes and economic implications. While formal and informal income sources in LMICs are collapsing, the ASGM sector offers a rare and desperately needed income opportunity due to the stable or rising international gold price. At the same time, artisanal mining communities can be considered as most-affected and at-risk group according to the UN Global Humanitarian Response Plan COVID-19.