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. 

C169 - Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169)

International Labour Organization English

The ILO is responsible for the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) , the only international treaty open for ratification that deals exclusively with the rights of these peoples

planetGOLD: Un video introductorio (Subtitulado Español)

planetGOLD Spanish

Este video con subtítulos en español ofrece una visión general del sector ASGM y cómo el programa planetGOLD está trabajando en 9 países para mejorar significativamente las prácticas de producción y el entorno laboral de la minería artesanal y en pequeña escala.

Mining and Indigenous Peoples

Nicholas Bainton English

This paper provides a global overview of anthropological studies on the relationship between Indigenous people and mining. It written with a broad audience in mind, especially for teaching. It covers a range of topics, from Contested Terrain and The Rise of a Global Industry to Agreement Making with Indigenous Peoples, and Emerging Directions and Enduring Debates.

Guidelines on Indigenous Peoples' Issues

UNDG 2009 English

The purpose of the Guidelines is to assist the United Nations system to mainstream and integrate indigenous peoples’ issues in processes for operational activities and programmes at the country level.

Phasing Out Mercury? Ecological Economics and Indonesia's Small-Scale Gold Mining Sector

Samuel J. Spiegel; Sumali Agrawal; Dino Mikhab; Kartie Vitamerry; Philippe Le Billon; Marcello Veigad; Kulansi Konoliusb; and Bardolf Paul 2017 English

This article uses an ecological economics approach to analyse tensions surrounding efforts to phase out mercury in Indonesia's artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector, among the largest sources of mercury pollution worldwide. It also discusses implications of domestic cinnabar mining for controlling mercury in Indonesia's ASGM sector, highlighting obstacles to implementing the Minamata Convention, a treaty that aims to restrict mercury use.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

UN General Assembly 2007 English

Phasing Out Mercury? Ecological Economics and Indonesia's Small-Scale Gold Mining Sector

Samuel J. Spiegel, Sumali Agrawal , Dino Mikha , Kartie Vitamerry , Philippe Le Billon , Marcello Veiga , Kulansi Konolius, Bardolf Paul 2017 English

This article discusses implications of domestic cinnabar mining for controlling mercury in Indonesia's ASGM sector, highlighting obstacles to implementing the Minamata Convention, a treaty that aims to restrict mercury use. We link discussion of mercury mining to other socioeconomic processes, labour relations and power dynamics shaping mercury use in gold mining and hindering collectivised mercury-free technology uptake. 

Extractive industries and Indigenous Peoples

James Anaya 2013 English

This is the final thematic report of James Anaya, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, to the Human Rights Council. Building upon previous reports, it addresses the human rights concerns of indigenous peoples relating to extractive industries.

Socioeconomic and environmental assessment of informal artisanal and small-scale mining in Ghana

K.J. Bansah, N.K. Dumakor-Dupey, B.A. Kansake, E. Assan, and P. Bekui 2018 English

The paper includes a case study of an informal ASM-affected community located in the Western Region of Ghana. A two-phase mixed-method approach consisting of literature reviews, questionnaires, interviews, and water quality assessments was employed.