FORMALISING ASM IN AFRICA FOR SUSTAINABILITY
By Kgothatso Nhlengetwa
MINING INDABA •
Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining ( ASM ) is not a new phenomenon in Africa . In fact , it is a historic activity that simply is only recently being brought to the forefront as a potential contributor to the economies of African countries . There have been many developments over the past decades , but the past five years have proved to be a growth spurt for the ASM sector . Various countries in Africa have developed regulatory frameworks for the sector and have even developed government-led initiatives to support the sun-sector in different ways .
The perspective of ASM as a marginal activity which pollutes the environment and is problematic is slowly changing . The narrative is moving towards developing a sector with economic potential that provides employment opportunities for millions of people across the continent . Despite its challenges , ASM provides an opportunity for governments to provide innovative solutions to an industry that inputs millions of dollars into the gold , gemstone and critical minerals industries .
Given the huge role ASM plays in the mining industry , it is pertinent to know what the developments in the sector are currently , what some countries are doing right and where the opportunities are for growth . Formalisation of the sector is the key and many countries are moving in that direction with different approaches .
Zimbabwe In Zimbabwe , at least 2 million people are active in the artisanal mining sector in the country and in 2022 artisanal mining contributed an estimated USD1.2-billion to the country ’ s economy . Minerals produced from artisanal mining include gold , diamonds , gemstones and critical minerals such as chrome and tantalite .
In what can be perceived to be a move towards formalisation , the Zimbabwean government introduced the Harare Guidelines on Small-Scale Mining in 1993 . The guidelines were a collaboration between the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Development and national authorities . Furthermore , in 2013 the government announced a plan to decriminalise Chikorokoza ( illegal miners ) and to make Fidelity Printers and Refiners ( FRP ) the sole buyer of artisanally mined gold .
Despite the above developments , ASM in Zimbabwe is , however to date , not well regulated , and the sector is largely informal . In fact , the Zimbabwe Mines and Minerals Act of 1961 criminalises ASM , and the sector is not recognised in mainstream policy . The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development charges high fees for registration , which are considered to exclude the ASM miners . The Mines and Minerals Act does not differentiate between ASM and large-scale mining activities . The lack of regulation has led to rampant illegal digging , smuggling and illicit trade . This has proved to impede the formalisation process despite the calls for regulation of ASM in a country where it is so widespread .
All images supplied by Kgothatso Nhlengetwa
Nhlengetwa in the field with artisanal miners .
South Africa In South Africa , ASM is quite unique because there are two different types of illegal mining .
The first type of illegal mining known locally as Zama-Zama mining and is infamous for its invasion of disused , ownerless or derelict gold mines . This type of mining is syndicate based and includes illegal migrant labourers from Lesotho and Mozambique . There is an indication that these workers are typically trafficked from South Africa ’ s neighbouring countries .
It is estimated that R6-billion is lost each year to illegal mining in South Africa and that the illegal gold is brought back into the legal gold stream at some point high up in the syndicate system . This type of mining is criminalised in South Africa and is met with an iron fist as the current operation “ Vala Mgodi ” is currently trying to curb the scourge of illegal mining .
Artisanal mining , which is more community based or traditionally based , is the alternative to the violent Zama-Zama sub-sector . This form of mining includes the mining of various commodities including gold , chrome , diamonds and industrial minerals . This type of mining has been recognised by the South African government through its implementation of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Policy of 2022 . It calls for the formalisation of artisanal mining through the formation of national artisanal miners ’ organisations and cooperatives .
Despite the progress with the policy , there have been no further developments in formalising the sector through drafting and implementing regulation . This is despite the artisanal miners in the country formalising themselves and calling for ‘ artisanal mining zones ’ to be delineated and given to legitimate artisanal miners to mine .
Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC ) The DRC is known for widespread artisanal mining which is estimated to employ around 2 million people . Minerals produced from the sector include gold , diamonds , coltan and cobalt . A 2020
www . africanmining . co . za African Mining Publication African Mining African Mining • January 2025 • 33