The stone forum: Implementing a consensus building methodology to address impacts associated with small mining and quarry operations

Abstract

Small‐scale mining, including quarry operations, continues to play an important social and economic role in hundreds of communities throughout Brazil. Often operating outside the formal economy, conflicts between the owners of small‐scale mining operations, the mineworkers, various government agencies, and other stakeholders have contributed to the progressive degradation of the environment, poor health and safety standards, and low productivity. The Centre for Mineral Technology (CETEM) of Brazil is implementing a consensus building methodology in order to produce dimension stone by small‐scale miners on a more sustainable basis in the Pádua region, located in the northwest of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The approach being used by CETEM is based on its own experience in working with gold prospectors in the Amazon, and lessons and experiences learned from Canadian officials and industry representatives. The lessons and insights gained from this project may prove to be useful to those involved in addressing similar problems elsewhere in Brazil, South America and around the world.

Small‐scale mining and its socio‐economic impact in developing countries

“…A number of attempts have been made to define 'smallscale mining' in an international context, according to criteria such as mine output, labour productivity, organization of the enterprise, and levels of technology. Peiter et al (2000), for example, provide a broad definition of smallscale mines, suggesting that they are generally those mining operations that are both labour intensive and lowtech. Jennings (1997), goes one step further, arguing that small-scale mines, whilst low tech, can be placed into one of two broad categories: 1) high-value mineral extraction, in particular gold, silver, and precious stones; and 2) quarry mining or simply the removal of industrial minerals and construction materials on a small scale.…”

Mining with communities

“…Cultural, social and political constraints are barriers to meaningful consultation with stakeholders and to developing a consensus approach to common concerns. These problems are part of the historical legacy of developing countries (Peiter et al, 2000).…”

Typology of Environmental Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in African Great Lakes Region

“…The issue of ASM is a broad topic dealt with by a number of authors and institutions. The actual definition of ASM is provided by the Noetstaller [9], Barry [10], Peiter, Boas, and Shinya [11], Jennings [12], Hilson [13], Hentschel, Priester, and Hruschka [14], Perks [15], International Labour Office [2], and many others. The ASM topic overlaps several areas (socioeconomic, transport, political, etc.)…”

“…The study included a health assessment of 150 workers, 103 fishermen and their families, and 19 residents of Mwanza City in northern Tanzania. The risk of having mercury in the body also lies in reduced immunity, and some studies [11] show a link with the spread of malaria, where a high degree of mercury concentration in the body can weaken the immune system, and an individual can be infected with malaria more easily than would normally be the case [11]. Another example worth noting is the study from 1995 carried out in Ghana by the World Bank, which reports that 4-5 tons of mercury enters the environment annually in connection with the ASM method, thus contaminating a large number of areas neighboring to the mining sites.…”