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Health and Safety Risk Mitigation among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Zimbabwe

Author

Listed:
  • Josephine Singo

    (Centre for International Health, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, 80336 Munich, Germany
    Devsol Consulting, Clock Tower, Kampala P.O. Box 73201, Uganda
    Exceed Institute of Safety Management and Technology, Kampala P.O. Box 72212, Uganda)

  • Dingani Moyo

    (School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
    Faculty of Medicine, National University of Science and Technology, Ascot, Bulawayo P.O. Box AC 939, Zimbabwe
    Faculty of Medicine, Midlands State University, Private Bag 9055, 263, Senga Road, Gweru P.O. Box 9055, Zimbabwe)

  • John Bosco Isunju

    (Disease Control and Environmental Health Department, School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7072, Uganda)

  • Stephan Bose-O’Reilly

    (Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, 80336 Munich, Germany
    Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT-University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Eduard-Wallnoefer-Zentrum 1, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria)

  • Nadine Steckling-Muschack

    (Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, 80336 Munich, Germany
    Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT-University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Eduard-Wallnoefer-Zentrum 1, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria
    Klinikum Osnabrueck GmbH, Am Finkenhuegel 1, 49076 Osnabrueck, Germany)

  • Jana Becker

    (Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, 80336 Munich, Germany
    German Professional Association of Private Practitioners in Hematology and Medical Oncology, Sachsenring 57, 50677 Cologne, Germany)

  • Antony Mamuse

    (Department of Geosciences, Midlands State University, Private Bag 9055, Senga Road, Gweru, Zimbabwe)

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is often associated with no or compromised attention to health and safety. Although headlines of fatal accidents in Zimbabwe characterise ASGM, little attention is paid to prevention strategies. This study, therefore, explores health and safety risk mitigation in ASGM in Zimbabwe to inform prevention strategies. A qualitative design was used with focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, coding, and descriptive statistics. Reported factors contributing to compromised health and safety included immediate causes, workplace factors, ASM related factors, and contextual factors, with interconnectedness between the causal factors. In addition, factors related to ASGM were significant. For risk mitigation, formalisation, organisation of risk reduction, behaviour change, and enforcement of prevention strategies is proposed. A multi-causal analysis is recommended for risk assessment and accident investigation. A multi-stakeholder approach could be considered for risk mitigation including community and public health interventions. However, risk mitigation has been characterised by gaps and weaknesses such as lacking ASM policy, lack of capital, poor enforcement, negative perceptions, and non-compliance. Therefore, we recommend addressing the threats associated with health and safety mitigation to ensure health and safety protection in ASGM.

Suggested Citation

  • Josephine Singo & Dingani Moyo & John Bosco Isunju & Stephan Bose-O’Reilly & Nadine Steckling-Muschack & Jana Becker & Antony Mamuse, 2022. "Health and Safety Risk Mitigation among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Zimbabwe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-24, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14352-:d:961420
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. repec:ilo:ilowps:366222 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Walle, Manfred. & Jennings, Norman., 2001. "Safety & health in small-scale surface mines : a handbook," ILO Working Papers 993662223402676, International Labour Organization.
    3. Josephine Singo & John Bosco Isunju & Dingani Moyo & Stephan Bose-O’Reilly & Nadine Steckling-Muschack & Antony Mamuse, 2022. "Accidents, Injuries, and Safety among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Zimbabwe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-21, July.
    4. Adler Miserendino, Rebecca & Bergquist, Bridget A. & Adler, Sara E. & Guimarães, Jean Remy Davée & Lees, Peter S.J. & Niquen, Wilmer & Velasquez-López, P. Colon & Veiga, Marcello M., 2013. "Challenges to measuring, monitoring, and addressing the cumulative impacts of artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Ecuador," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 713-722.
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