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Moralities, risk and rules in West African artisanal gold mining communities: A case study of Northern Benin

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  • Grtz, Tilo

Abstract

The paper explores the life and work of young male gold miners in Northern Benin, West Africa. It describes modes of organisation, norms and rules of mining teams as well as the situation in the region's mining camps at large. Despite various internal conflicts and a high degree of social fluctuation and uncertainty due to repeated state interventions, the social field of gold mining is marked by cohesion and viable patterns of risk sharing.

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  • Grtz, Tilo, 2009. "Moralities, risk and rules in West African artisanal gold mining communities: A case study of Northern Benin," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(1-2), pages 12-17.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:34:y:2009:i:1-2:p:12-17
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    1. Mohammed Banchirigah, Sadia, 2006. "How have reforms fuelled the expansion of artisanal mining? Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 165-171, September.
    2. Filip De Boeck, 1998. "Domesticating Diamonds and Dollars: Identity, Expenditure and Sharing in Southwestern Zaire (1984–1997)," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 29(4), pages 777-810, October.
    3. Katja Werthmann, 2001. "Gefährliches Gold und bitteres Geld. Zum Umgang mit einer außergewöhnlichen Ressource in Burkina Faso," Africa Spectrum, Institute of African Affairs, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg, vol. 36(3), pages 363-381.
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    1. Hilson, Gavin & Ackah-Baidoo, Abigail, 2011. "Can Microcredit Services Alleviate Hardship in African Small-scale Mining Communities?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 39(7), pages 1191-1203, July.

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