Voices
06 July 2026
Countries:
IMPACT, planetGOLD Uganda, and planetGOLD Côte d’Ivoire have developed a new Toolkit, Supporting Best Practices at Artisanal Gold Mines, to help artisanal gold mining communities strengthen their capacity on issues that affect their health, safety, and livelihoods.
IMPACT has spent years working directly with artisanal mining communities to improve practices, support equitable development, and help miners move toward formalization and legal trade. Through this work, a key gap has emerged, while there is a wealth of information about artisanal gold mining, much of it is not accessible to the miners themselves.
At the same time, global markets place increasing expectations on artisanal miners to meet standards around safety, environmental responsibility, and traceability. Yet there is often little guidance available to miners explaining what these expectations are or how they can realistically achieve them.
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is often characterized by informality, limited access to training, and resource constraints. In addition, barriers such as low literacy levels, limited access to formal education, and a lack of tailored training materials restrict miners’ ability to adopt improved practices. Existing resources are frequently designed for policymakers or technical experts, rather than for miners working directly at mine sites.
This disconnect between available knowledge and practical accessibility has limited the sector’s ability to improve working conditions, reduce risks, and meet market expectations.
The Toolkit
The Supporting Best Practices at Artisanal Gold Mines Toolkit has been developed to address this gap. Drawing on IMPACT’s experience, the Toolkit is designed to strengthen the capacity of artisanal mining communities to manage risks, improve safety, and enhance their livelihoods.
The Toolkit supports users in identifying key risks within the sector and taking appropriate safety precautions. It also promotes more effective, safe, and environmentally responsible gold production. While seven initial training topics are included, the Toolkit is designed to evolve, with additional modules and reference materials planned.
From Knowledge to Practice
The Toolkit is designed primarily for artisanal miners themselves, including women, who already have a basic understanding of gold mining but seek to deepen their knowledge of specific techniques. By focusing on practical, applicable skills, it enables miners to improve production while maintaining safety and security at mine sites.
It is also relevant for a broader group of stakeholders working within the artisanal mining ecosystem. This includes mine site leadership, associations, cooperatives, informal mining groups, and government entities responsible for supporting the sector.
Recognizing the realities of mining communities, the Toolkit has been specifically designed for use in low-literacy contexts. Training approaches rely on visual tools, hands-on activities, and group discussions to ensure accessibility and engagement. While materials are available in English and French, facilitators are encouraged to adapt delivery methods to local contexts and languages.
A Practical and Adaptable Approach
Although the Toolkit is grounded in IMPACT’s experience, it is not limited to any single country. Its flexible design allows it to be adapted across diverse geographic and cultural contexts, making it a valuable resource for artisanal mining communities worldwide.
By bridging the gap between knowledge and practice, the Toolkit provides miners with the tools they need to better understand risks, improve their operations, and align with responsible mining expectations.
Ultimately, the Toolkit supports safer working conditions, more sustainable production, and greater inclusion of artisanal miners in formal and legal gold markets.
Knowledge Areas: