Impacts of Organizational Dynamics in Artisanal gold mining on Community Livelihoods

Abstract

Many studies on Artisanal Gold Mining have estimated that it employs an estimated 13 Million people worldwide, with another 80 to 100 million people directly or indirectly benefiting. In sub Saharan Africa it is viewed as an economic mainstay activity providing direct employment to over two million people. Artisanal gold mining uses rudimentary processes to extract valuable minerals from primary and secondary ore bodies, and is characterized by the lack of long-term mine planning. In Kenya, less is known on how different artisanal gold mining communities operate and it is organised. The artisanal gold mining has negative environmental effects and limited positive transformation on the livelihoods of the local communities involved in Nandi County. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impacts of artisanal gold mining organizational dynamics on community livelihoods. The study employed a descriptive research design and simple random sampling was used to select the respondents for interview. Primary data was obtained by use of questionnaires, interview schedules, focus group discussions guide, key informants guide, observations, and photography. Questionnaires were pretested before the actual field survey and the Information gathered during this pre-trial were used to modify the survey tools. Factor analysis upheld the construct validity of the instrument at 0.5 significance. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used in the analysis of data and the results were presented by use of frequency tables. The findings showed that Artisanal gold mining activities were disorderly in nature thereby preventing improved livelihoods and environmental conservation. In conclusion artisanal gold mining activities in Nandi County were informal and unorganized in nature. The study recommends Artisanal miners be encouraged and assisted by relevant government agencies to form cooperatives in order to have a collective voice in their undertaking such as advocating for government assistance on technology and equipment, marketing and training.