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Health Studies in the Context of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining: A Scoping Review

Author

Listed:
  • Hermínio Cossa

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
    Manhiça Health Research Centre, C.P. 1929 Maputo, Mozambique)

  • Rahel Scheidegger

    (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, P.O. Box, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Andrea Leuenberger

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Priska Ammann

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Khátia Munguambe

    (Manhiça Health Research Centre, C.P. 1929 Maputo, Mozambique
    Faculty of Medicine, University Eduardo Mondlane, C.P. 257 Maputo, Mozambique)

  • Jürg Utzinger

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Eusébio Macete

    (Manhiça Health Research Centre, C.P. 1929 Maputo, Mozambique
    National Directorate of Public Health, Ministry of Health, C.P. 264 Maputo, Mozambique)

  • Mirko S. Winkler

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland)

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is an important livelihood activity in many low- and middle-income countries. It is widely acknowledged that there are a myriad of health risk and opportunities associated with ASM. However, little is known with regard to which aspects of health have been studied in ASM settings. We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed publications, using readily available electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) from inception to 14 July 2020. Relevant information was synthesized with an emphasis on human and environmental exposures and health effects in a context of ASM. Our search yielded 2764 records. After systematic screening, 176 health studies from 38 countries were retained for final analysis. Most of the studies ( n = 155) focused on health in ASM extracting gold. While many of the studies included the collection of environmental and human samples ( n = 154), only few ( n = 30) investigated infectious diseases. Little attention was given to vulnerable groups, such as women of reproductive age and children. Our scoping review provides a detailed characterisation of health studies in ASM contexts. Future research in ASM settings should address health more comprehensively, including the potential spread of infectious diseases, and effects on mental health and well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Hermínio Cossa & Rahel Scheidegger & Andrea Leuenberger & Priska Ammann & Khátia Munguambe & Jürg Utzinger & Eusébio Macete & Mirko S. Winkler, 2021. "Health Studies in the Context of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-24, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1555-:d:494731
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Tatiane Marin & Jacopo Seccatore & Yingchao Cheng, 2023. "Mapping the Reality of Hg-Free Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-23, September.
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    3. Fernando Morante-Carballo & Néstor Montalván-Burbano & Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar & Paúl Carrión-Mero, 2022. "A Bibliometric Analysis of the Scientific Research on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-29, July.
    4. Poignant, Adrian, 2023. "Small-scale mining and agriculture: Evidence from northwestern Tanzania," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    5. Paschal, Makungu & Kauangal, Jignesh, 2023. "Women position in artisanal and small-scale mining in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    6. Dingani Moyo & Ronald Ncube & Fungai Kavenga & Lilian Chikwava & Tawanda Mapuranga & Nathan Chiboyiwa & Chipo Chimunhu & Frank Mudzingwa & Orippa Muzvidziwa & Petronella Ncube & Tariro Christwish Mand, 2022. "The Triple Burden of Tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Silicosis among Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in Zimbabwe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, October.
    7. Dingani Moyo & Christopher Zishiri & Ronald Ncube & Godknows Madziva & Charles Sandy & Reginald Mhene & Nicholas Siziba & Fungai Kavenga & Florence Moyo & Orippa Muzvidziwa & Petronella Ncube & Blessi, 2021. "Tuberculosis and Silicosis Burden in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in a Large Occupational Health Outreach Programme in Zimbabwe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-11, October.

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