Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining as a challenge and possible contributor to Sustainable Development

This paper explores the different challenges posed by Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) to Sustainable Development (SD), as well as proactive and unrealistic approaches in dealing with these challenges. Since there is no clear cut internationally acceptable definition of ASM, this paper conside...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Zvarivadza, T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2018.01.009
http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4952
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1779905662446206976
author Zvarivadza, T.
author_facet Zvarivadza, T.
author_sort Zvarivadza, T.
collection DSpace
description This paper explores the different challenges posed by Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) to Sustainable Development (SD), as well as proactive and unrealistic approaches in dealing with these challenges. Since there is no clear cut internationally acceptable definition of ASM, this paper considers ASM as the exploitation of marginal ore deposits, which are not profitable to mine on a large scale, through both informal (I/ASM) and formal channels (F/ASM) using rudimentary tools. I/ASM is illegal while F/ASM is legal and its activities are conducted under the approval of the presiding government. It is mainly I/ASM that poses disastrous challenges to SD. These can be classified into social, economic, environmental, safety and health and political challenges as expressed in the text. The first move towards making ASM a sustainable livelihood is to recognise and formalise it. Peaceful and all-encompassing approaches have to be devised in order to formalise ASM because ASM is a significant source of livelihood for mainly the poor and those who are unemployable due to lack of professional skills, a vivid fact governments cannot afford to ignore. These approaches facilitate easy administration of the sector as miners are held accountable and since they would have been given legal mandate to exploit the mineral deposit. This paper also discusses barriers and challenges to implementation of proactive approaches to ASM. These include International laws like the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 together with international reforms such as Economic Structural Adjustment Programmes (ESAP). Several proactive approaches which interested and affected parties can adopt to realise full returns and benefits from ASM are discussed at length in this paper. Some reactive and unrealistic approaches which countries need to desist from in dealing with ASM challenges are also conveyed by this paper. DRC and Zimbabwe are discussed as country case studies to illustrate poor practices and good practices in dealing with ASM respectively.
format Article
id ir-11408-4952
institution My University
language English
publishDate 2022
publisher Elsevier
record_format dspace
spelling ir-11408-49522022-07-07T13:18:14Z Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining as a challenge and possible contributor to Sustainable Development Zvarivadza, T. Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Sustainable Development Proactive approaches Unrealistic approaches Large Scale Mining (LSM) – ASM partnerships This paper explores the different challenges posed by Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) to Sustainable Development (SD), as well as proactive and unrealistic approaches in dealing with these challenges. Since there is no clear cut internationally acceptable definition of ASM, this paper considers ASM as the exploitation of marginal ore deposits, which are not profitable to mine on a large scale, through both informal (I/ASM) and formal channels (F/ASM) using rudimentary tools. I/ASM is illegal while F/ASM is legal and its activities are conducted under the approval of the presiding government. It is mainly I/ASM that poses disastrous challenges to SD. These can be classified into social, economic, environmental, safety and health and political challenges as expressed in the text. The first move towards making ASM a sustainable livelihood is to recognise and formalise it. Peaceful and all-encompassing approaches have to be devised in order to formalise ASM because ASM is a significant source of livelihood for mainly the poor and those who are unemployable due to lack of professional skills, a vivid fact governments cannot afford to ignore. These approaches facilitate easy administration of the sector as miners are held accountable and since they would have been given legal mandate to exploit the mineral deposit. This paper also discusses barriers and challenges to implementation of proactive approaches to ASM. These include International laws like the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 together with international reforms such as Economic Structural Adjustment Programmes (ESAP). Several proactive approaches which interested and affected parties can adopt to realise full returns and benefits from ASM are discussed at length in this paper. Some reactive and unrealistic approaches which countries need to desist from in dealing with ASM challenges are also conveyed by this paper. DRC and Zimbabwe are discussed as country case studies to illustrate poor practices and good practices in dealing with ASM respectively. 2022-07-07T13:18:14Z 2022-07-07T13:18:14Z 2018 Article 0301-4207 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2018.01.009 http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4952 en Resources Policy;Volume 56, Pages 49-58 open Elsevier
spellingShingle Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining
Sustainable Development
Proactive approaches
Unrealistic approaches
Large Scale Mining (LSM) – ASM partnerships
Zvarivadza, T.
Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining as a challenge and possible contributor to Sustainable Development
title Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining as a challenge and possible contributor to Sustainable Development
title_full Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining as a challenge and possible contributor to Sustainable Development
title_fullStr Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining as a challenge and possible contributor to Sustainable Development
title_full_unstemmed Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining as a challenge and possible contributor to Sustainable Development
title_short Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining as a challenge and possible contributor to Sustainable Development
title_sort artisanal and small-scale mining as a challenge and possible contributor to sustainable development
topic Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining
Sustainable Development
Proactive approaches
Unrealistic approaches
Large Scale Mining (LSM) – ASM partnerships
url https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2018.01.009
http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4952
work_keys_str_mv AT zvarivadzat artisanalandsmallscaleminingasachallengeandpossiblecontributortosustainabledevelopment