Small-scale mining cooperatives and the state in Bolivia: Their histories, memories and negotiation strategies

Assessing the knowledge and practices of occupational safety and health in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector of Ghana: A case of obuasi

“…This was followed by the lower limb and chest respectively. This is in line with the findings of ( Salman et al. 2015 ) that among ASGM in Latin America particularly in San Simon mining Province in Bolivia injuries to the back, neck, and fractures with upper limb were noted as the severely affected body parts among miners.…”

Formalizing artisanal and small-scale mining: Whither the workforce?

“…Tanzania, see Jonsson & Fold, 2009) or to ASM-collectivities like cooperatives (e.g. Bolivia, see Salman et al, 2015). The situation in the DRC is slightly different, as existing ASMpolicies -which are severely hampered by weak state capacity-are geared in the first instance towards the certification of ASM-operators (through so-called cartes d'exploitant artisanal), who then become authorized to operate inside artisanal mining areas (zones d'exploitation artisanal) (Geenen & Radley, 2014).…”

“…In Bolivia, although the government has awarded numerous concessions to cooperativas mineras throughout the country, labor regulations are not implemented in practice, and working conditions remain extremely poor (Salman et al, 2015). As will be discussed in more detail below, the situation in the Philippines is similar, in that even in those cases where ASM-operators operate with the necessary licenses inside a government-sanctioned Minahang Bayan (permit area), the workforce at large remains bereft from formal-legal recognition and -protection.…”

The Intricacies of “Being Able to Work Undisturbed”: The Organization of Alluvial Gold Mining in Bolivia

“…Miners' cooperatives seem quite an exceptional feature internationally, but in Bolivia they are common (Moeller et al 2002;Crabtree and Chaplin 2013, 75-92;Salman, Carrillo, and Soruco 2015). There are different types of cooperatives, however.…”

“…Together, they form FENCOMIN (Federación Nacional de Cooperativas Mineras de Bolivia), a political player to be reckoned with in today's Bolivia. FENCOMIN is ideologically close to the incumbent, left-wing and pro-indigenous government of the indigenous president, Evo Morales, and his MAS (Movimiento al Socialismo) party, but did not hesitate to flex its muscles when a new mining bill that is quite favorable to their interests (Salman, Carrillo, and Soruco 2015) was put forward (and eventually adopted in 2014).…”