MINING INDABA • study by IPIS has mapped about 2 951 mines , employing 427 469 people which is quite significant .
With the government recognising the importance of the sector in the country , a new regulatory framework that included artisanal mining was introduced in the Mining Code of 2014 . The regulatory framework states that artisanal miners must mine within an artisanal mining zone and that there are concessions that are specifically for artisanal and small scale mining . This marks progress in the formalisation process as this articulates the provision specifically for ASM .
A progressive scheme to increase competitiveness was recently set up in the province of Lualaba where a government-backed depot tests and buys cobalt ore from the miners at a fixed price . This innovative solution provides access to market and a way for the country to benefit from the high productivity in cobalt mining by artisanal miners in the country .
Although this is a success story , there is still a long way to go with regard to formalisation in the country with many miners still working in dire conditions and vast instances of alleged human rights violations and child labour .
Tanzania Tanzania is also a country which has recognised the potential of ASM and is providing multiple support mechanisms for the sector . It is estimated that between 1 – 2 million people are active in the Tanzanian ASM sector . The minerals that are mined include gold and gemstones . There is provision for ASM in the mining law in Tanzania which allows for the legal ASM activities .
Tanzania is promoting ASM by empowering the organisations that have formalised themselves including the Tanzanian Women ’ s Mining Association ( TAWOMA ) and Tanzanian Women in Mining and Minerals Industry ( TWiMMI ). The government body that supports the empowerment of these organisations as well as actively plays a supportive role in the ASM industry is the State Mining Corperation ( STAMICO ).
STAMICO ’ s mandate with respect to ASM is to promote , facilitate and support its formalisation . Some of the STAMICO activities in this regard include providing drilling at a discounted rate for ASM , providing financial and business workshops to ASM participants as well as promoting health and safety on the ground at various sites . STAMICO was also an active participant in promoting a value chain in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining industry .
There are more projects in the country run by other organisations that include , for example , upskilling women artisanal gemstone miners . This involves training them on how to cut , polish and evaluate gemstones and providing access to international markets . Tanzania has showcased innovative ways the government as well as other organisations can aid in the formalisation process of ASM .
The rate and range of formalisation differs from country to country . What speaks to the progression of formalisation is not only the willingness of government but also the collaboration of government with other organisations and miners . This collaboration is useful in creating the groundwork for drafting applicable and implementable regulations , which are critical to formalisation . To ensure sustainability of the sector innovative solutions incorporating all stakeholders are crucial but must also include a
To ensure sustainability of the sector innovative solutions incorporating all stakeholders are crucial but must also include a bottom-up understanding of what is needed on the ground .
bottom-up understanding of what is needed on the ground . It is possible to formalise the sector , but we must be willing to do the groundwork and work together collaboratively and collectively . African countries must be willing to learn from one other and acknowledge shortfalls and successes and apply regional solutions where possible . A sustainable ASM sector is a possibility , however , it is up to us in the sector to make sure that we get it right by playing our role in the whole process of formalisation . •
About Kgothatso Nhlengetwa : Nhlengetwa obtained a BSc ( Hons ) in geology from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa . She started her career at AngloGold Ashanti in mining geology before leaving to study social entrepreneurship at the Gordon Institute of Business Science . Her academic research work focused on a comparative study of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining ( ASM ) in South Africa . Her multidisciplinary research included the key aspects of
Kgothatso Nhlengetwa , founding director of Imbokodo Mining Services ( Pty ) Ltd , serving as an ASM consultant , researcher and advisor .
geology , livelihood , mining value chain and policy analysis . She worked as an associate lecturer in the School of Geosciences at the University of the Witwatersrand where she taught on a range of topics including orebody modelling , ASM and social licence to mine . She is a Canon Collins Scholarship recipient and winner of a masters ’ fellowship award from the Women in Science Awards by the Department of Science and Technology ( 2014 ). Her work has been published on various platforms including scientific journals , online publications and newspapers . She has spoken on multiple platforms on the topic of ASM , both on TV and on radio . She is the founding director of Imbokodo Mining Services ( Pty ) Ltd , serving as an ASM consultant , researcher and advisor . She serves as a special advisor to the National Association of Artisanal Miners and is a founding member of the Black Geoscientists Forum . She is a mentor , motivational speaker and member of Women in Mining South Africa .
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