6, September, 2015, Arusha – Key players representing main mining countries in Africa shared their experiences and lessons learnt on how to formalize the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) activities so as to transform the sector into a vibrant tool for local sustainable development. The discussions were held at the workshop organized by UNESCO on 2-5 September 2015 in Arusha, in collaboration with the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST), Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) as part of the UNESCO-SIDA funded project “Mapping and Assessing the Environmental and Health Impacts of Abandoned Mines in Sub-Saharan African Countries”.

Africa has abundant resources and export of primary minerals is a major source of income for many countries. The total production of minerals such as tin, tantalum and gold from the ASM sector was larger in Africa than from other major mines around the world in Africa. Approximately 3.7 million people are directly involved in ASM in the continent, meaning this sector is a vital for economies and for rural livelihoods in many African states.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Abou Amani, representing the Director of UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, addressed both the challenges and benefits that ASM legal framework can have in contributing to sustainable development. The African continent is amply endowed with natural resources but there is a need to strengthen measures to sustainably manage this natural capital and provide Africa with the socio-economic progress that it deserves.” To address these challenges as well as strengthening the institutional capacity of the regulating bodies, cooperation among countries and relevant stakeholders are crucial.

On behalf of the Arusha Regional Commissioner, the Regional Administrative Secretary, Adostin Mapunda stressed the importance of regulating the ASM sector. He noted ”ASMs in Africa has operated in a disorganized manner,” and urged political leaders and scientists to ensure strategies to formalize the ASM sector promote sustainable economic growth. Through UNESCO’s initiative, partners are joining forces, to promote sustainable and environmental friendly management of Africa’s natural resources and the create more resilient societies.

The participants, representing the government, National Geological Survey, mining associations, and human rights and environmental civil society partners also visited the Merelani Tanzanite Mine, an ASM site near Arusha town. This provided minding stakeholders with an opportunity to interact with the local community, as well as for small-scale miners to voice their issues of local public concern. A visit to the Tanzania Gemological Center was also organized to witness a value addition scheme in the mining production. The centre provides women’s training courses for the secondary production of raw material polishing, contributing greater income benefitting both the regulators and ASM miners.

Discussions on the formalization of ASM were further enriched through these field visits in understanding the benefits that it can bring to both governments and artisanal and small scale miners, in particularly on value addition, as well as to improve gender, safety, health and environmental concerns.

UNESCO will compile the main outcome of the workshop into a policy document that contribute to inspire and accelerate the process of formalization of ASM currently ongoing in many countries. The participating countries include: Burundi, Canada, DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

About UNESCO International Geoscience Programme (IGCP)

For over forty years, UNESCO has worked with the International Union for Geological Sciences (IUGS) to mobilize global cooperation in the Earth sciences through the International Geoscience Programme. This Programme has provided a platform for Earth scientists from across the world to push the frontiers of knowledge through multidisciplinary projects that bring geoscience close to people’s needs.