Poverty alleviation and artisanal mining in Tanzania

Abstract

This paper summarizes the main findings of a research study conducted to establish the influence of technology in poverty alleviation in artisanal mining areas in Tanzania. It is recognized that technological aspects cannot be assessed without also taking into consideration socio-economic, institutional, and organizational aspects that in one way or another affect the choice and application of technology. These factors are therefore also examined.

Occupying the Margins: Labour Integration and Social Exclusion in Artisanal Mining in Tanzania

“…In Mwanza Region, artisanal gold and diamond mining expanded in the 1970s and 1980s at a time when it was mainly illegal, leading people to establish ‘informal’ rights to mineral resources through laying claim to the portion of land in which they had excavated a pit (for detailed accounts, see Chachage, 1995; Kulindwa et al, 2003; Mutagwaba et al, 1997). This was the case in the field study sites of Nyarugusu, Mgusu and Mabuki.…”

“…The situation in the diamond mining area, Mabuki, is different but also demonstrates how processes of formalization are rooted in historical events within a local context that have benefited certain individuals at the expense of others. In the 1980s, several thousand miners had informal claims over portions of diamond bearing land (see Madulu, 1998; Mutagwaba et al, 1997); in 1987, the area was placed under the caretakership of the Mwanza Regional Government which later divided the land into small blocks consisting of shallow alluvial reserves suitable for artisanal mining, and large blocks that needed mechanical equipment for excavation into harder materials, intended for investment by small/medium‐scale operators. Alongside land designation, officials proposed that artisanal miners should form an association to apply for a mining licence and collective marketing; to this effect, an association of artisanal miners was formed ( Ushirika wa Wachimbaji Wadogo Wadogo ).…”

“…Not all women are poor, by any means; some have become wealthy from backing mining operations or running bars, hotels and shops. Indeed, women with capital are increasingly financing mining operations compared to a decade ago, when taboos restricting their involvement in mining were more prevalent (Mutagwaba et al, 1997); even today, prejudices remain around women's roles in mining areas. Amongst the poorest people are those who manually crush rocks or reprocess tailings — often boys from broken households and impoverished or elderly women.…”

Is it possible to integrate health and safety risk management into mechanised gold processing? A methodology for artisanal and small-scale mining communities in the Philippines

“…It has been institutionally recognised that there are drivers that push ASM to continue performing their gold-processing techniques, despite the risks that have been largely discussed in literature, in terms of social and regulatory dimensions (Hentschel et al 2002;Lahiri-Dutt 2004;Buxton 2013;Hilson et al 2014). The support from government, local and foreign organisations and other institutions has, in part, been directed at finding technological solutions to ASM-related problems (Priester et al 1993;Mutagwaba et al 1997;Hentschel et al 2002;Hruschka 2011). The most common example is the end-of-pipe technology, in forms of retort or improvised filters to address toxic mercury emissions.…”

Integration of health and safety risk management into the implementation of gold processing technology in artisanal and small scale mining (ASM) communities in the Philippines

“…The support from government, local and foreign organisations, and other institutions has, in part, been directed at finding technological solutions to ASM-related problems (Priester et al 1993;Mutagwaba et al 1997;Hentschel et al, 2002;Hruschka 2011). The most common example is the end-of-pipe technology in forms of retort or improvised filters to address toxic mercury emissions.…”