Coexistence of artisanal gold mining with companies in Latin America

Abstract

Different coexistence models of artisanal gold miners with conventional mining companies of any size in Latin America are presented. The existing models herein assessed leave the mining activities with artisanal miners and processing steps are conducted by organized companies. These models, applied by various companies, is a solution to formalizing artisanal miners, bring more economic benefits for miners and reduce pollution (e.g. tailing disposal, mercury and cyanide). The coexistence works in sites where there is good engagement of companies with miners and infrastructure to allow transportation of ores (or tailings) to the companies processing plants. The model is better applied to primary ores, but it has been observed a case of coexistence in an alluvial mine. This article highlights coexistence as an option to the artisanal miners to obtain more financial benefits and to the private sector to participate more actively in assisting the reduction of informality and pollution. After analyzing different models in various Latin American countries, it was concluded that a proper coexistence model must have a strong commitment component to generate trust between the miners and the processing company. The key stages in the implementation of a coexistence model are: Evaluation, Education, Organization, Formalization, and Promotion.