The Livelihood of Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners and Awareness of the Use of 3T Minerals in Rwanda—A Case Study in the Rutsiro District: A Qualitative Assessment

Abstract

This article examines the impact of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) on livelihood in mining communities in Rwanda (Rutsiro) where wolframite and coltan are mined. The paper discusses the development of ASM and other entrepreneur activities, in particular agriculture. With ASM activities, there is environmental degradation on the one hand but also an improvement in the well-being of the local population on the other. The 3T (tin, tungsten, tantalum) minerals extracted by ASM are used in the electronics industry for products such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, which are mainly consumed in the developed world. Based on questionnaires and structured research with miners, it was determined how ASM affects their lives, or whether there is a deterioration or improvement in their well-being. The research builds on previous field research in Rwanda. Because of mining, communities in the mining areas have access to health care, they can pay tuition fees, insurance, etc. On the other hand, the lives of miners are endangered by respiratory diseases, accidents in mines, landslides in mining areas, and other negative environmental impacts. The extraction of these minerals, however, may lead to a worse quality of life for the miners responsible for the extraction in developing countries. This different view is also illustrated by the fact that miners themselves often do not know what 3T minerals are used for. ASM benefits miners from an economic perspective but may worsen their quality of life due to unsuitable working conditions. This study covers a broader understanding of socioeconomic impacts of ASM and tries to point out the lack of awareness about the mining of minerals important for the daily use of modern technologies. This article would like to contribute to the larger debate about the lack of awareness of the origin of 3T minerals.

Prevalence and determinants of evidence of silicosis and impaired lung function, among small scale tanzanite miners and the peri-mining community in northern Tanzania

“…The SSM don't have regular salaries, they have entered into agreement with mine managers to get a certain percentage, usually around 5% of the sales to share among all the workers once a gemstone is found. In contrast to a recent study in Rutsiro, Rwanda [26] average earnings in Mererani were relatively low with the majority of miners on <4.3 USD/day. In the Rwandan study, reported SSM to have not only regular monthly salaries but the salary being relatively good to the extent of attracting workers from other sectors like construction to the mining sector.…”

“…In the Rwandan study, reported SSM to have not only regular monthly salaries but the salary being relatively good to the extent of attracting workers from other sectors like construction to the mining sector. Among these SSM interviewed about ill health related to the mining activities, 85% reported dust to be a key challenge, of whom 65% reported silicosis as a major health challenge [26]. While improving workers’ income should be prioritized, this should go hand in hand with improvement of the working environment to ensure the individuals who are rushing in the mines for better paying jobs are in a safe working condition.…”