
Resources
The planetGOLD Knowledge Repository
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Artisanal and small-scale mining, and COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa: A preliminary analysis
Gavin Hilson, Steven Van Bockstael, Titus Sauerwein, Abigail Hilson, James McQuilken English
This article offers preliminary reflections on the potential impact of COVID-19 on artisanal and small-scale mining activities in sub-Saharan Africa. In doing so, it revisits the core ideas put forward in the literature in support of showcasing the sector more prominently in the region’s rural development strategies.
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Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) and COVID-19: Responding to the pandemic
Alec Crawford, Olivia Lyster, Adam Rolfe 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.
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Thoughts on How to do Gender Inclusion Right in ASM.
Olivia Lyster 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.
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Topics:
- Conflict Areas
- Development
- Due Diligence Resources
- Due Diligence/Responsible Gold
- Due Diligence/ Supply Chains
- Gender
- Governance
- Health/Safety
- Human Rights/ Vulnerable Populations
- Income/Livelihood
- Indigenous Peoples
- Legal Framework
- Mining Laws and Policies
- Minamata Convention/National Action Plan
- Sustainable Development Goals
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Understanding the use and trade of toxic chemicals in artisanal gold mining: The case of Burkina Faso
Poorva Karkare, ECPDM English
This note shines light on the use and trade of toxic chemicals in ASGM in Burkina Faso. It argues that interventions to reduce the use of mercury in ASGM operations need to be designed keeping in mind the complexity of the sector, including the actors involved and the fluid arrangements that they strike to win gold. In fact, mercury and gold trade are closely interlinked. Moreover, mercury has become an integral part in the pre-financing arrangements, a dominant form of funding operations in return for gold. These networks of pre-financiers are involved in the smuggling of gold to avoid paying taxes.
Knowledge Areas:
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COVID-19 and Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining: Implications for National Development
World Bank PACT English
This presentation explores potential risks to the health of ASM communities presented by the pandemic including access to adequate healthcare and delivery of preventative health services. In addition findings on the impact of the pandemic on men and women were explored, highlighting the disproportionate negative impact of food security experienced by women.
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Mapping artisanal and small-scale mining to the Sustainable Development Goals
PACT & University of Delaware English
Pact and the University of Delaware’s Mapping Artisanal and Small-scale Mining to the Sustainable Development Goals (ASM-SDG Policy Assessment) is the first report assessing all positive and negative relationships between artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Knowledge Areas:
Topics:
- Biodiversity/ Environmental Rehabilitation
- Development
- Due Diligence/Responsible Gold
- Due Diligence/ Supply Chains
- Energy
- Environmental Impact
- Gender
- Gold Consumers
- Health/Safety
- Human Rights/ Vulnerable Populations
- Income/Livelihood
- Indigenous Peoples
- Legal Framework
- Microfinance/ Socially Responsible Investing
- Mining Laws and Policies
- Minamata Convention/National Action Plan
- Sustainable Development Goals
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Women Mine-rock Waste Collectors in Artisanal and Small-scale Mining in Ecuador: Challenges and Opportunities
Patricio Colón Velásquez-López, Claudia Páez-Varas, Ximena Benavides-Zúñiga, Francisco Gallegos, Gerald Fallon English
CIRDI conducted an exploratory study of the nature of women mine-rock waste collectors’ (WWC) activities and analysed their working conditions managing mine waste rock in Ponce Enríquez, Ecuador. A WWC is locally known as janchera, and currently hundreds of women are involved in this activity within artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
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The Impact of COVID-19 on ASM Communities in Northern Tanzania
Elard Mawala, Lotte Hoex, Mieke Thierens 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.
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Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining: Mapping the South African Ecosystem
CIRDI Mining Dialogues 360 English
The study is intended to provide a systematic, evidence-based set of data-points that can inform a more comprehensive policy review process that positively facilitates sustainable and responsible ASM formalisation over the long term.
Knowledge Areas:
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Improving Access to Formal Finance in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining
planetGOLD English
This issue brief reviews past experiences with delivering financial and allied services to the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector and examines existing barriers to attracting formal finance and investment in the sector. It concludes with recommended interventions for governments, donors and other allies to help improve ASGM’s access to formal finance in the future.
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