Updated 28/04/2002

Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining

(In cooperation with Thomas Hentschel and Felix Hruschka from Projekt-Consult GmbH and various other organisations)

The goal of the MMSD research activity on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) was to develop an understanding of how the ASM sector can better contribute to sustainable development.

The Global ASM Report (PDF 1470KB - large file) is a global baseline assessment on the importance and nature of artisanal and small-scale mining compiled by Projekt-Consult GMbH. This report draws on a number of country and regional studies from different areas in the world where this activity represents an important source of livelihoods.

These country and regional studies were based on Common Terms of Reference (PDF 27K) developed with an external advisor, Jeffrey Davidson. These studies were mostly conducted by local researchers and brought together baseline data on ASM, relevant literature, an inventory of key local contacts in the sector, and information on country-specific ASM assistance projects. A key part of this work was a review of the effectiveness of these assistance projects over the past 10 years to identify successful and unsuccessful components.

Partners undertaking the country and regional studies included:

Southern Africa

ITDG Southern Africa undertook a regional study, which was commissioned by MMSD Southern Africa and conducted in partnership with the Southern African Network for Training and Research on the Environment (SANTREN). The Southern Africa ASM Report (PDF 3016KB - large file) includes six countries: Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

South America

The Brazil ASM report (English) (PDF 181KB) and Portuguese (PDF 178KB) was compiled by Centre for Mineral Technology (CETEM)
The Bolivia report (Spanish) (PDF 238KB) by Fundación Medio Ambiente, Minería e Industria (MEDMIN)
The Ecuador report (Spanish) (PDF 164KB) by Fundación Ambiente y Sociedad
The Peru report (Spanish) (PDF 441KB) by Grupo de Análisis para el Desarrollo (GRADE)

Asia

The China report (PDF 388KB) by Aaron James Gunson from the University of British Columbia, Canada and Yue Jian
The India report (PDF 388KB) by Dr. S.L. Chakravorty from the National Institute of Small Mines (NISM)
The Indonesia report (PDF 168KB) by Clive Aspinall, an ASM expert from Indonesia
The Philippines report (PDF 62KB) by Edmund Bugnosen, an ASM consultant
The Papua New Guinea report (PDF 167KB) by Blasius Susapu from the PNG Department of Mining and Geoff Crispin, Small-scale Mining Adviser with the PNG Advisory Support Facility Project at the Bureau of Mineral Resources

West Africa

The Ghana report (PDF 5242KB - large file) by Gavin Hilson, Doctoral student at Imperial College
The Mali report (French) (PDF 333KB) by Dr. Seydou Keita from the Promotion de l'Artisanat Minier et Protection de l'Environnement (PAMPE)
The Burkina Faso report (French) (PDF 328KB) by Djibril Gueye, a mining consultant from the Groupement General d'Entreprise

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A workshop (PDF 34KB) was held on the 19-20 November 2001in London to bring together the researchers who have compiled the various reports. Approximately 40 participants attended, including representatives from non-governmental and community-based organisations, small-scale miners, government representatives, and international organisations.

The specific objectives of the workshop were to:

1. Discuss lessons learned from initiatives designed to improve the contribution of the sector to SD (for example through improving environmental performance or improving access to credit). Identify good practice through case study presentations and discussion/analysis of key factors which help the sector contribute to sustainable development

2. Discuss the findings from the global, regional and country reports on ASM

3. Identify regional priorities and experiences that need to be reflected in the global report on ASM

4. Provide an opportunity for researchers on ASM from different countries to meet and exchange experiences

5. Consider how the outputs (global, regional and country studies, databases, network of researchers) of the MMSD ASM research activities can be best used. Particularly with respect to CASM - Communities and Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining initiated by the World Bank and DFID.

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Events and timeline

MMSD and Small-scale Mining in South America
24 Jan 2001 Santiago, Chile

Minutes (PDF 246KB)

Country and Regional Studies finalised
31 Sept 2001

All now available (see above)

MMSD Researchers' Workshop
19-20 Nov 2001 London, UK

Workshop Report

Global Report finalised
20 Dec 2001

Global ASM Report
(PDF 1470KB - large file)

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