Solution/Artisanal/small scale mining

ARTISANAL MINING FOCUS

• Technical assistance to increase productivity coupled with social protection and fair labor standards.

• The interplay of mining with other aspects of local economies to promote better integrated rural development strategies.

• Pilot efforts to model clean supply chains or fair trade minerals are emerging as a means to spread the principle of responsibility across the supply chain.

CONTEXT

Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining occurs in approximately 80 countries worldwide. There are approximately 100 million artisanal miners globally. Artisanal and small-scale production supply accounts for 80% of global sapphire, 20% of gold mining, and up to 20% of diamond mining. It is widespread in developing countries in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Central and South America. Though the informal nature and on the whole un-mechanized operation generally results in low productivity, the sector represents an important livelihood and income source for the poverty-affected local population. It ensures the existence of millions of families in rural areas of developing countries. About 100 million people – workers and their families – depend on artisanal mining compared to about 7 million people worldwide in industrial mining.