source: aj gunson/casm why artisanal and small scale mining? poverty persists in developing...
TRANSCRIPT
Source: AJ Gunson/CASM
Why Artisanal And Small Scale Mining? Poverty Persists in Developing Countries
Why Artisanal And Small Scale Mining? 3.9 billion people live in today’s 56 mining countries 90% of them in 51 developing and transition countries
(Weber-Fahr, Monika, 2002) About 1.5 billion live on less than $2 a day, making up nearly
two thirds of the world’s poorest population (Golden Opportunity, 2010)
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO)
Large Scale Mining (LSM) is not a major employer LSM employs about 0.5% of the world’s workforce - around
11 million people globally (ILO)
Large scale mining employs about two million in developing countries. (UNCTAD, 2007)
Why ASM? During the last decade the metals mining industry has
become centralised and concentrated (UNCTAD, 2007)
The top five – Newmont, Barrick, Anglogold, Gold Fields Limited and Gold Corp – produced 32% of all gold mined globally in 2007
Small Scale Mining (SSM) accounts for the employment of around 13 million people and affects the livelihoods of 80-100 million. (ILO) (compares with around 2-3 million directly employed in LSM sector. 12% -20% of the metals (particular gold) 21% of the industrial minerals 20% of the coal 10% of the diamonds 75% of the gems (CASM Asia, Conflict Gems – Presentation)
Why Is It So Difficult To Legalize ASM? ILO research (1999) on 28 countries concludes: The proportion of illegal mines -- those operating without the necessary authorization - varied from 50 to 80 per cent… If these figures can be considered a valid sample, the extent of illegal small-scale mining is very high and so, therefore, are the likely financial losses to the countries and regions most affected.
o The association between illegality or informality and ASGM activities is so common that it is considered an inherent characteristic of ASGM
Why?
ASGM versus LSGM very low capital, low technology and labour intensive
– an activity accessible to (almost) everyone
Mineral Resource is in Open Accesso open and easy access to everyoneo generates economic and social benefits at a low costo many are interested in the resource and it is difficult to
control their utilization of it
Why Is It So Difficult To Legalize ASM?
Redefine the approach to ASGM
or
ASGM exists because
Geological and physical and chemical conditions of the deposits and mineral produce allow simplified forms of extraction, processing, transport and commercialization. It includes secondary deposits (placer/alluvial deposits), some superficial primary deposits and more recently, some abandoned mines.
ASGM is an economic mining activity that is here to stay, an activity that the poor can perform. It can become a legalized livelihood profitable for all involved and can contribute to poverty alleviation and a sustainable society in less economically developed countries (LDC) and developing countries.
Redefining The Approach To ASGM
The definition of ASM is critical to guide for public policy
Why Is It So Difficult To Legalize ASM? o UNEP is contributing to this debate with a
document “Analysis for Stakeholders on Formalization in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining Sector based on Experiences in Latin America, Africa and Asia”
o The document includes cases studies on Mongolia, Ecuador, Uganda, Peru and Tanzania
o The document covers environmental, regulatory, economic and institutional aspects of the formalization of ASGM
More information please consult: www.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/FormalizationDocument/tabid/56052/Default.aspx
Tanzania 500,000 to 1 M, and some
estimates indicate 1.5 M people in ASM (Carstens et al, 2009; Society for International Development, 2009)
National gold exports reached $1.076 B in 2009, ASGM may account for 10% of Tanzanian gold production
Overview Legislation since 1997 Prospecting license (1 year, 10 ha.) Primary mining license (5 years, 10 ha., renewal
for more 5 years) Transfer of rights Allows the holder of Primary Mining License to
convert the license into a medium and larger mining license and to combine multiple primary mining licenses together and convert them into a medium and larger mining license.
Environmental regulations have very clear set of rules
May consider the following, Two titles for different phases that can be converted into
one title Different titles to allow different operation sizes to be
legalized Tanzania has conflicts between large and small operations
- legislation does not give options to promote partnerships or collaboration between the two
Environmental regulation rules based on specific technical guidelines could help implementation (e.g. the use of retorts)
Tanzania: New Mining Law 2010Decentralized Permitting: introduces a new system of decentralizing the permitting process for Primary Mining Licenses with objective to be more efficient and more accessible within rural communities.
Land Allocation Policies for Small-Scale Mining: measures for allocating specific land areas for small-scale mining. To make this policy effective they need to; conduct geological studies and to ensure that mining groups are
not unfairly marginalized
Microfinance Policies: develop microfinance services specifically tailored for the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.
Programs for Capacity-Building: training activities with artisanal and small-scale mining groups to improve environmental management, technology upgrade programs and regional regulatory implementation.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is estimated to have 150–200,000 artisanal and small-scale miners working in diamonds and gold
The 2004 Mining Code replaced the Mines and Minerals Act 2009. The country is in the process of replacing its 2005 “Policy Measures relating to Small Scale and Artisanal Mining and Marketing of Precious Minerals” with its new multidimensional “Artisanal Mining Policy” after a process of consultation
Legislative Overview The new Act (2009) defines Artisanal (AL) and Small-scale mining licenses (SL) with following conditions,
Area : AL – 0.5ha for one year and renewable for the same time no more than 3 times and
SL - 1-100 ha for three years and renewed for further periods not exceeding three years at a time
A small-scale mining licence shall be granted to a corporate body or cooperative that has a minimum of twenty-five percent of its shares held by citizens of Sierra Leone
An artisanal licence shall be granted to 1) citizen of Sierra Leone; 2) a co-operative, a joint-venture or partnership registered in Sierra Leone comprising citizens of Sierra Leone exclusively; 3) corporate body that is incorporated or registered in Sierra Leone having one hundred percent of its shares held by citizens of Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Legislative Overview cont’d Artisanal mining employs in the area
in which the licence is issued not more than fifty labourers or contributers per artisanal mining licence
The area should be demarcated as an ASM area
Environmental assessments and management programs should be provided in a small-scale license and a more simplified assessment and plan for Artisanal license
May consider the following, Assess the impact of such small areas
in particular for artisanal mining Removes reference to the number of
workers for an artisanal license Allows for renewal until the end of
exploitation
Applies the same restrictions for Artisanal holder to Small license to prevent the national capital from needing to compete with foreign capital
Environmental and management plans may be simplified in accordance with the size of the operations
1. Legalization is only one component of a larger vision and strategy for ASM formalization
2. The definition of ASM is not a gratuitous or academic exercise but a practical necessity to distinguish different types of mining
3. The special characteristics of ASM must be recognized in the mining regulatory system of the country
4. The legalization process is incremental, but respect for human rights is not
5. The concept that there exist categories of ASM that are impossible to regulate is false
10 Lessons About Effective ASM Formalization
6. Avoid imposing unnecessary restrictions or prohibitions on the choice of the business entity
7. The allocation of an area to the mining project constitutes a fundamental tool to achieve environmental and social protection.
8. Legislation can give more or less freedom to the licensee for transfer of the rights, permitted associations and upgrading among the mining licences or titles. Greater flexibility means more ability to exercise the right of exclusivity (and responsibility).
9. The monitoring process (for improvement of the ASM framework) can be more effective if managed independently from regulatory agencies
10. The different ASM stakeholders, particularly the miners, must contribute to the process of development of public policy and regulatory framework
10 Lessons About Effective ASM Formalization
ARM ASGM Legalization Guide
To learn more about these recommendations please consult ARM’s legalization guide for ASGM and help us to improve it…
http://www.communitymining.org/attachments/059_ARM_Series5_Legalisation_guide_ASM.pdf
ASM legalization is not an easy route but it is possible and is a necessary route to take
www.communitymining.org