Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining

At least 13 million people world-wide from over 30 developing countries engage in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and a further 80-100 million people depend on this sector for their livelihood.

ASM is typically practised in rural areas where little alternative employment opportunities are available and its characteristics usually incorporate high numbers of female workers, labour intensity, lack of appropriate equipment, a lack of health and safety safeguards, poor literacy levels and a widespread use of child labour.

Despite this, involvement in this sector continues to rise and whilst it is poverty driven, it is also a key vehicle for poverty alleviation; economically empowering disadvantaged groups and thus providing many with the opportunities for financially supporting their families.

The challenge ahead is to harness ASM as an activity that can contribute towards achieving the MDGS and broad sustainable development objectives.

The CASM (Communities and Small Scale Mining) initiative, established in 2001 was set up to develop an integrated approach to address the challenges faced by ASM communities and to bring a greater degree of harmony in the responses of donor agencies.

CASM supports development initiatives by individuals, communities and organisations that will work towards a reduction in poverty and the construction of more viable livelihoods within communities and in rural areas where small-scale mining is a significant activity. For more information visit www.casmsite.org.