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Strengthening artisanal mining research and policy through baseline census activities

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  • Gavin Hilson

Abstract

Over the past 10–15 years, several governments have implemented an array of technology, support‐related, sustainable livelihoods (SL) and poverty‐reduction projects for artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM). In the majority of cases, however, these interventions have failed to facilitate improvements in the industry's productivity and raise the living standards of the sector's subsistence operators. This article argues that a poor understanding of the demographics of target populations has precipitated these outcomes. In order to strengthen policy and assistance in the sector, governments must determine, with greater precision, the number of people operating in ASM regions, their origins and ethnic backgrounds, ages, and educational levels. This can be achieved by carrying out basic and localized census work before promoting ambitious sector‐specific projects aimed at improving working conditions in the industry.

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  • Gavin Hilson, 2005. "Strengthening artisanal mining research and policy through baseline census activities," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 29(2), pages 144-153, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:natres:v:29:y:2005:i:2:p:144-153
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1477-8947.2005.00123.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gavin Hilson & Clive Potter, 2003. "Why Is Illegal Gold Mining Activity so Ubiquitous in Rural Ghana?," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 15(2‐3), pages 237-270.
    2. Anna Toner, 2003. "Exploring sustainable livelihoods approaches in relation to two interventions in Tanzania," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 15(6), pages 771-781.
    3. Marcello M. Veiga & Jennifer J. Hinton, 2002. "Abandoned artisanal gold mines in the Brazilian Amazon: A legacy of mercury pollution," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 26(1), pages 15-26, February.
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    Cited by:

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    2. 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.
    3. Rachel N. Long & Elisha P. Renne & Niladri Basu, 2015. "Understanding the Social Context of the ASGM Sector in Ghana: A Qualitative Description of the Demographic, Health, and Nutritional Characteristics of a Small-Scale Gold Mining Community in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-18, October.
    4. Geenen, Sara & Stoop, Nik & Verpoorten, Marijke, 2021. "How much do artisanal miners earn? An inquiry among Congolese gold miners," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    5. Jesper Bosse Jønsson & Niels Fold, 2009. "Handling uncertainty: Policy and organizational practices in Tanzania's small‐scale gold mining sector," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 33(3), pages 211-220, August.
    6. Anwar Endris Hassen, 2022. "Competency oriented management for sustainable artisanal and small‐scale mining sector development in Ethiopia," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 46(1), pages 116-135, February.

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