Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining Sector Research Articles

Improving community environmental literacy regarding the impact of mercury use in the artisanal small-scale gold mining sector (A study in Sumalata Timur District, North Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province)

This research focuses on villages where the community mostly works in the small-scale gold mining sector (ASGM), namely Hulawa Village and Buladu Village, North Gorontalo Regency. Mercury has remained being used by the community in this location for gold processing since a long time. It is important to increase the environmental literacy of the community around the ASGM area considering the dangers of mercury to health and the environment. This study aims to improve the environmental literacy of the community around ASGM regarding the mercury dangers to health and environment. Raising the community environmental literacy is carried out through a mercury dangers awareness campaign by playing videos of mercury dangers, distributing mercury-free gold processing leaflets, resources person explanation concerning mercury impact. Public knowledge about the dangers of mercury before and after the campaign was measured through questions. This study shows that there is a rise in the number of people who understand the dangers of mercury after a mercury awareness campaign. The increase in the number of people who understand the mercury dangers shows that audio-visual and printed media are effectively used to increase public awareness of the dangers of mercury in ASGM areas.

Capability of social life cycle assessment for analyzing the artisanal small-scale gold mining sector\u2014case study in the Amazonian rainforest in Brazil

PurposeGold extraction in the Amazonian rainforest is accompanied by ecological threats and social grievances, but at the same time, the artisanal small-scale gold mining sector (ASGM) provides a livelihood for many people. To address this tradeoff, this paper analyzed the social aspects and their possible relations by conducting a case study based on a Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA). This study seeks to determine whether SLCA is capable of reflecting the sector.MethodA literature-based guideline was used for collecting primary data during several field trips to the Tapajós Region in Brazil. This research instrument constituted the basis for information-oriented interviews and on-site observations. The SLCA categories used in this study were based on the United Nations Environment Programme and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (UNEP/SETAC) guidelines and the categories in the Fairmined Standard. In addition, secondary data obtained from the literature were used to provide insights into the sector. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis with both deductive and inductive approaches.Results and discussionThis study described the social aspects of the ASGM sector in the Tapajós Region, including the absence of the state, the illegality and informality of mining operations, the remote and rural area, and the organizational structure. In addition, the extraction methods, poor working conditions, and difficult living conditions were considered. Certain characteristics of the industry like unstable payments, worker movements, and low education levels were recognized, and thus, the relations among the social categories and rebound effects were identified. Several issues were proven to be key factors: unstable payments, autonomy, and the rebound effects of excavators. Complex relations among social issues but also towards ecological and economic issues do exist. The suitability of using the SLCA to reflect the ASGM sector was tested on this basis.ConclusionIn some respects, the SLCA had limitations, e.g., due to the nonlinear relation between working hours and the amount of extracted gold. The impacts of technology depend on the underlying definition that is used. The current lack of cause-effect models impedes the assessment of an overall picture that considers the relations among the social aspects and other elements of sustainability. A holistic view must be applied if ecological problems are to be solved.

Economic features of the artisanal and small-scale gold mining industry in Bombana, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

There is a consensus that the artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector contributes to trapping individuals in a cycle of poverty and financial insecurity with a low standard of living. The purpose of this study was to analyze the economic circumstances of miners in the Bombana ASGM area in Indonesia using a mixed methodology approach that involved collecting, analyzing, and mixing both quantitative and qualitative data in a single study. Results show that the average and maximum monthly incomes of 201 miner households were Rp. 4,360,000 and Rp. 9,750,000, respectively. The average income in the ASGM area in Bombana was higher than that at similar sites on Java Island (∼Rp. 2,900,000) and was much higher than the average monthly income of the inhabitants of Bombana (∼Rp. 2,100,000). Because of the higher revenue generated in the ASGM sector, miners and their families depend long-term on the mining work, which makes it difficult to control the mining activity and the associated environmental degradation.

Analysis of Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining Sector in West Sumbawa Regency, Indonesia.

Background.The high value of gold reserves in West Sumbawa Regency (WSR) and West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia has resulted in an increase in small-scale gold mining activity in this area. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is an attractive alternative livelihood for rural workers because it has good potential to improve the wealth of a community. Miners need very little training to mine gold and the transition from traditional farming or fishing is easy to make. However, the key environmental consequence of ASGM in West Sumbawa is the extensive use of mercury and its impact on human health.Objectives.The ASGM activity in WSR is quite recent when compared to other ASGM activity in Indonesia. The current study was conducted to better understand the lifestyle, extent of mercury exposure, and the health of people living in WSR, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia.Methods.The present study was designed as a purposive field sampling study conducted in WSR, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The subjects were miners and families from three different sites within the WSR: individuals directly exposed to mercury, indirectly exposed individuals and non-exposed individuals. Hair mercury analysis was done with all subjects. Health questionnaires, physical examinations and socio-economic surveys were conducted with exposed subjects.Results.The ASGM sector in the WSR consists of a high number of migrant workers who have a great economic impact on the local area, high mercury use, a great deal of illegal mercury trading, and a high mercury concentration (>13 mg/kg) in their hair. The results suggest that ASGM activities affect the health of exposed and indirectly exposed individuals.Conclusions.The current scale of ASGM activity in the WSR is predicted to rise. ASGM activities in the WSR is an important challenge that needs to be addressed.