Promises and perceptions in the Guianas: The making of an artisanal and small-scale mining reserve

Abstract

In sparsely populated areas of the interior of the Guianas, artisanal and small-scale gold mining has become the primary economic activity for local and migrant populations over the last three decades. Because of the adverse environmental and social impacts often associated with artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), these activities can be a source of unease for governments, and the question of how to confront the growing challenges of ASM has become a global concern. Formalization of the sector is increasingly being put forward as one strategy to mitigate the impacts associated with ASM, and there is a growing consensus that large-scale mining (LSM) companies have a role to play in this process. This article examines the perspectives of artisanal and small-scale miners on an initiative to formalize the ASM sector in a rural region in the interior of the Guianas. Through an analysis of a collaboration between a national government and a LSM company to create a reserve for artisanal and small-scale gold miners, we identify the major opportunities and limitations of this strategy. These opportunities and limitations demonstrate that although an artisanal and small-scale mining reserve could be one way to formalize the sector and support rural livelihoods, there are clear barriers to overcome to improve the interactions among governments, companies, artisanal and small-scale miners, and local communities.