Small-scale Gold Mining

AbstractIncreased prices and political pressure are boosting illegal gold mining in the Brazilian Amazon, threatening forests, indigenous people, and conservation of biodiversity in protected areas. The rate of illegal mining deforestation increased more than 90% from 2017 to 2020, reaching 101.7 km2 annually in 2020 compared to 52.9 km2 annually in 2017. In that period, illegal mining deforestation rate grew more than the rate of clearing within mining leases. While formal mining is required to comply with environmental regulations, most small-scale or artisanal mining and especially illegal mining areas are abandoned after reserves are exhausted, without proper rehabilitation. Deforestation due to illegal mining is likely to increase in the next years, calling for coordination between local and regional policies as well as for strengthening and expanding international mechanisms to increase traceability of mineral supply chains with certification schemes to help to curb illegal mining.

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Correction to: Analysis of the Mercury Distribution in Blood as a Potential Tool for Exposure Assessment — Results from Two Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Areas in Zimbabwe

Biological Trace Element Research ◽

10.1007/s12011-021-02750-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anna-Maria Wahl ◽

Stephan Bose-O’Reilly ◽

Viola Mambrey ◽

James P. K. Rooney ◽

Dennis Shoko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exposure Assessment ◽

Gold Mining ◽

Small Scale ◽

Mercury Distribution ◽

Mining Areas ◽

Distribution In Blood ◽

Potential Tool ◽

Assessment Results

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An Investigation of the Socio-Economic Benefits of Small-Scale Gold Mining in Malawi

Mining ◽

10.3390/mining1010003 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 19-34

Author(s):

Tiyamike Haundi ◽

Gift Tsokonombwe ◽

Steven Ghambi ◽

Theresa Mkandawire ◽

Ansley Kasambara

Keyword(s):

Gold Mining ◽

Indigenous Communities ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Gold Rush ◽

Basic Knowledge ◽

Small Scale ◽

Low Literacy ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

The Government

In the recent years, there has been a surge in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in various districts of Malawi. Reports of a gold rush have emerged in various districts, including Mangochi, Lilongwe, Balaka, and lately in Kasungu. There has been persistence by many indigenous communities participating in ASGM activities, yet little is being done by the government to formalize and support the sub-sector. The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits of artisanal small-scale gold mining in Malawi and expose the shortfalls so that key stakeholders and policy makers are well informed. A quantitative approach which used semi-structured questionnaires was used and the data was analyzed using Microsoft excel and Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study shows that ASGM is characterized by people with low literacy levels, who use traditional tools (low-tech) and use methods fueled by lack of capital, and deficiency of basic knowledge of mining and geology. The study found that the government could achieve substantial socio-economic development from the sector by: (1) revising the current artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) legislation so that it embraces the customary practices whilst safeguarding the environment and improving the tax collection base; (2) providing support in form of mining related training and education to these communities; (3) leading in transfer of modern technologies for improved extraction; (4) supporting ASM cooperatives in securing credit facilities from financial institutions; and (5) closing the existing knowledge gap for ASM related issues through introduction of mining desk officers in district councils.

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