“The ladder that sends us to wealth”: Artisanal mining and poverty reduction in Tanzania

De-agrarianization, re-agrarianization and local economic development: Re-orientating livelihoods in African artisanal mining communities

“…In addition to Zimbabwe, there are reports that ASM has firmly taken root in other rural stretches of sub-Saharan Africa, including sections of Ghana and Tanzania (Banchirigah 2008;Fisher et al 2009;Tschakert 2009). Policy Sci (2010 Whilst seriously downplayed in policymaking circles, the evidence points to the risk narrative applying in the majority of cases: that the rural farmers now found in abundance in ASM camps throughout sub-Saharan Africa, who were driven to diversify their income portfolios to avoid poverty, now view mining work as their principal source of livelihood.…”

Prostitution or partnership? Wifestyles in Tanzanian artisanal gold-mining settlements

“…These studies challenge many of the misconceptions associated with artisanal mining; namely that the sector is chaotic and criminalized. Commonly studies criticize the environmental degradation and occupational hazards of artisanal mining, nonetheless, many if not most demonstrate that artisanal mining is organised and labour-absorbing, playing a significant role in the livelihoods of millions of people throughout Africa (Grätz 2003, Banchirigah 2008, Jønsson and Bryceson 2009, Fisher et al 2009, Tschakert 2009, Geenen 2011. Just as with artisanal miners, several misconceptions about women and their lifestyles in artisanal mining camps prevail, in particular related to women's relationships to men (Werthmann 2009).…”

‘Sustainable Mining’? Corporate Social Responsibility, Migration and Livelihood Choices in Zambia

“…Small business enterprises are restricted by inadequate mobility and infrastructure, and ASM provides little guarantee of an income. In addition, unstable mineral prices and exploitative trade deals in illegal markets provide a highly sporadic income in the informal mining sector (Buxton 2013;Fisher et al 2009;Yelpaalaa and Ali 2005). As a result, opportunities for investment or supporting family members can be limited (Cartier 2009), particularly in terms of food security (Buxton 2013).…”