Abstract
Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is acknowledged to provide incomes to tens of millions of individuals around the world, yet systematic data on miners' earnings are lacking. We developed a sampling method and survey tools suited for systematic data collection and applied it to a stratified random sample of 453 miners in the largest mining town in Congo's South Kivu province. Our research design allows us to study how much artisanal gold miners earn, and what determines their earnings. In doing so, we assess the financial attractiveness of artisanal mining, and uncover whether earnings from artisanal mining are merit-based, i.e. determined by experience, expertise and risk-taking behavior, or identity-based. This allows us to test the claim that artisanal mining has a social-levelling effect.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
