Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining Research Articles

Impact of Artisanal Gold Mining in Community Conserved Areas with High Biodiversity Using a Multi-Criteria Approach: A Case Study in Colombia

Artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) using mercury affects community agreements for the conservation of forests (CoS) and lakes (CoH), which have a high level of biodiversity in the Peasant Reserve Zone of the Cimitarra River Valley (ZRC-VRC) in Colombia. In this research, a multi-criteria approach (MCA) was applied to analyze the impact of ASGM. This analysis is based on the community environmental agreements to preserve CoS and CoH areas, the ecological importance of these areas, as well as the results of mercury dispersion in the Cimitarra river basin, with concentrations found 40 km downstream of the mining area of 0.09 µgTHg L−1 in the Cimitarra river, 0.07 µgTHg L−1 in the CoH, and 0.01 mgTHg kg−1 in the tissues of macrophytes, as well as the increase in deforestation since 2020 in the CoS, due to a 1.8% (990 ha) loss of forest cover, with 693 ha of the forest cover loss coinciding with areas related to the opening of new mines. The MCA showed that the main impact is found within the criterion Social and armed conflict, followed by Deforestation. This research offers recommendations to reduce impact scores, such as the implementation of a sustainable development plan (PDS) of the ZRC-VRC, and it highlights the urgent need to safeguard the community conservation areas.

Adapted Sequential Extraction Protocol to Study Mercury Speciation in Gold Mining Tailings: Implications for Environmental Contamination in the Amazon.

Artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM), an increasingly prevalent activity in South America, generates mercury-contaminated tailings that are often disposed of in the environment, leading to the introduction of mercury into ecosystems and the food web, where it bioaccumulates. Therefore, studying the geochemical processes involved in the desorption and dissolution of mercury in these tailings is essential for critical risk evaluations in the short and long term. For this purpose, sequential extraction procedures (SEPs) can be useful because they help to identify the phases to which Hg is associated, although they also have limitations such as a lack of selectivity and specificity. In this work, we propose a modified four-step SEP: exchangeable mercury (F1), oxidizable mercury (F2), mercury bound to Fe oxides (F3), and strongly bound mercury (F4). To test this adapted sequential extraction method, we evaluated the Hg contamination in mercury-contaminated tailings of the Amazon basin. The results revealed a total mercury concentration of 103 ± 16 mg·kg-1 in the tailings, with a significant portion in F1 (28% of the total), where Hg was bioavailable. The large Hg concentration in F3 (36%) suggested that Fe oxides likely contribute to mercury retention. Together, the SEP results emphasize the urgent need for improved surveillance of gold mining activities and responsible tailings management practices to mitigate environmental contamination and safeguard the health of the Amazon ecosystem.

Artisanal gold mining in guinea and security concerns

One of the continents richest in gold reserves is Africa. According to the World Bank, about 20 % of gold in African countries is still mined using artisanal methods. There is no officially recognized, generally accepted definition of artisanal small-scale gold mining. In essence, artisanal or small-scale gold mining is a labor-intensive, financially and technologically underdeveloped gold mining activity. Artisanal gold mining can be either informal, illegal, without state permission, or formal (legalized, streamlined). In the modern world, artisanal mining in African countries is experiencing rapid growth after their liberation from colonial oppression. The paper examines the environmental costs or ecological footprint of artisanal gold mining, such as: mercury intoxication of ecosystems, gold miners and local populations; deforestation, destruction of ecosystems; pollution of watercourses; industrial injuries and occupational diseases of gold miners; crime and social instability. Practical recommendations for improving safety are given.

Cyanidation of tailings in artisanal small-scale gold mining at Arbaat Region in Red Sea State, Sudan

In this research, the processing of gold from artisanal small-scale gold mining was investigated by cyanidation using an agitation process. The sample's characterization shows that the silicate mineral exhibits the sample mineralogy, according to the results of the XRD examination. In XRF analysis, the mineralogical and chemical structure shows 77.1% SiO2, 8.08% Al2O3, 5.76% Fe2O3, 1.67% CaO, 0.97% K2O, 0.054% As2O3, 1.1% Na2O, 0.392% SO3, 0.454% TiO2, 0.049% MnO and 0.005% ZrO. The parameters of the experiments were stirring speed, NaCN concentration, solid-liquid ratio, temperature, and pH. The purpose of gold leaching in artisanal small-scale gold mining at Arbaat region is to find the appropriate conditions that will ensure maximum recovery. It was found that the gold dissolution decreases with increasing solid ratio. Furthermore, the cyanide concentration positively influences the range of 0.05–0.5 g/L. It is seen that the dissolution rate increases with the range of pH 10-10.30, while it starts to incline at pH after 10.30. However, the temperature and agitation speed have a significant effect on the gold dissolution. Cyanidation tests revealed that it is easy to apply the cyanidation process and recover about 87.52% Au content from the tailings of artisanal small-scale gold mining. The obtained recovery indicates the commercial and economic viability of the process that will be applied to extract Au from artisanal small-scale gold mining tailings in Arbaat.

Contribution to a Sustainable Society: Biosorption of Precious Metals Using the Microalga Galdieria.

The red microalga Galdieria sp. is an extremophile that inhabits acidic hot sulphur springs and grows heterotrophically to a high cell density. These characteristics make Galdieria suitable for commercial applications as stable mass production is the key to success in the algae business. Galdieria has great potential as a precious metal adsorbent to provide a sustainable, efficient and environmentally benign method for urban mining and artisanal small-scale gold mining. The efficiency and selectivity in capturing precious metals, gold and palladium from metal solutions by a Galdieria-derived adsorbent was assessed relative to commercially used adsorbents, ion exchange resin and activated charcoal. As it is only the surface of Galdieria cells that affect metal adsorption, the cell content was analysed to determine the manner of utilisation of those metabolites. Galdieria was shown to be protein-rich and contain beneficial metabolites, the levels of which could shift depending on the growth conditions. Separating the cell content from the adsorbent could improve the adsorption efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions during the metal collection process. The commercial applications of Galdieria appear promising: growth is quick and dense; the precious metal adsorption capacity is highly efficient and selective in acidic conditions, especially at low metal concentrations; and the cell content is nutrient-rich.

Soil and environment quality in artisanal small-scale mining areas in western Côte d’Ivoire

Artisanal small-scale gold mining activities grow in different regions of Côte d’Ivoire, causing enormous soil and environmental damages. This study was conducted in the vicinity of illegal artisanal small-scale gold mining zones to investigate soil quality using environmental assessment tools, mainly pollution and geochemical accumulation indexes. The mining spoil from artisanal pits was sampled directly between 0 and 20 cm, collecting 500 g of soil per sampling point. Sub-samples of soil were analyzed for multi-element using X-ray fluorescence technique. The results of the XRF analysis revealed higher trace element levels at some sampling points than the recommended levels. High arsenic concentrations were identified at three sampling sites: cavally sites with 7.09 and 16.08 mg kg-1 and Zérégbo with 9.57 mg kg-1. Moreover, significant concentrations of Cu and Pb were found at the Cavally site whilst Singouiné and Zérégbo showed high concentrations of Co and Cr. The study, globally, revealed the environmental hazards caused by the organized artisanal mining.

Mercury bioaccumulation in bats in Madre de Dios, Peru: implications for Hg bioindicators for tropical ecosystems impacted by artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

Mercury (Hg) endangers human and wildlife health globally, primarily due to its release from artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM). During gold extraction, Hg is emitted into the environment and converted to highly toxic methylmercury by microorganisms. In Madre de Dios (MDD), Peru, ASGM dominates the economy and has transformed rainforests into expansive deforested areas punctuated by abandoned mining ponds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of bats as bioindicators for mercury pollution intensity in tropical terrestrial ecosystems impacted by ASGM. We collected 290 bat fur samples from three post-ASGM sites and one control site in Madre de Dios. Our results showed a wide Hg distribution in bats (0.001 to 117.71 mg/kg) strongly influenced by feeding habits. Insectivorous and piscivorous bats from ASGM sites presented elevated levels of Hg surpassing the mercury small mammal threshold for small mammals (10 mg/kg). We observed the highest reported fur mercury concentrations for insectivorous Neotropical bats reported to date (Rhynchonycteris naso, 117 mg/kg). Our findings further confirm that Hg emissions from ASGM are entering local food webs and exposing wildlife species at several trophic levels to higher levels of Hg than in areas not impacted by mining. We also found that three bat genera consistently showed increased Hg levels in ASGM sites relative to controls indicating potential usefulness as bioindicators of mercury loading in terrestrial ecosystems impacted by artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

Economic valuation of artisanal small-scale gold mining impacts: A framework for value transfer application

Illegal artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activities have serious environmental and health consequences. In this study, we developed a framework for calculating the economic costs associated with the negative environmental and social impacts of ASGM in the Brazilian Amazon. Based on a literature review on impact valuations of deforestation, land degradation, and mercury contamination, we used multiple parameters to develop a generalizable value transfer formula. The formula relates input variables, such as mining site area, pit depth, gold extraction productivity, and other context variables (population density, per capita income, average daily fish consumption, and transportation cost for restoration) to calculate the average monetary values associated with the impact. Additionally, we propose an enhancement to the model used by Bakker et al. (2021) for estimating mercury impacts on human health. Our findings show that values associated with social and environmental damage range from US$ 187,200 to US$ 389,200 per kilogram of gold, which is mostly attributable to health outcomes related to mercury contamination, which represents more than twice the market value of gold. Furthermore, we conducted a case study for the Tapajós Basin, which revealed that the socioeconomic costs generated by 4,547 ha of alluvial ASGM in the basin surpasses US$ 1 billion for the year 2020.

Does the use of cocoa farmlands for artisanal small-scale gold mining really increase household food insecurity? Evidence from Ghana

In recent years, the use of cocoa farmlands for artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in mineral rich countries in sub-Saharan Africa has been on ascendency. Previous studies have examined the environmental, health and livelihood implications of the land use decision. Notably, studies on the indirect effects of the food security implications of the nexus between ASGM and agriculture abounds but limited attention has been given to the direct effect of using farmlands for ASGM on household food security. Using a primary cross-sectional data on 400 cocoa farmers in the Amansie West District of Ghana and an endogenous switching regression model, this study analyzes the impact of using cocoa farmlands for ASGM on household-specific food security indicators. The study finds that farmers who use their farmlands for ASGM; 1) increase their household food insecurity, 2) increase their household dietary diversity, but in the short-run due to income effect, 3) increase their inability to use effective coping mechanisms to fight household food insecurity. Policy efforts geared toward the use of farmlands for ASGM to address food insecurity among smallholder farmers in mineral-rich countries in sub-Saharan Africa should focus on: 1) reducing liquidity constraints of smallholder cocoa farmers, 2) promoting stakeholder-driven productivity enhancing interventions, and 3) creating attractive policy environments for the youth to enter into farming.

Environment Degradation, Health Threats, and Legality at the Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in Indonesia.

Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) activities, despite offering numerous economic incentives, inflict negative impacts on the environment and public health due to the use of mercury or cyanide. This study aims to compare three ASGM locations in Indonesia in terms of environmental impacts and potential health problems in the community. As part of this research, field surveys at three ASGM illegal locations with different conditions, observations, literature studies, and interviews with the community and stakeholders were conducted. At each of the survey sites, the potential threat to public health due to the use of mercury was determined to be high. Additionally, many of the environmental impacts detected were deemed to have reached a high-alert stage, in some cases even posing a level of extreme danger. Based on these results, it has become clear that a form of mining management which reduces the negative impacts on the surrounding environment and community health is needed. The suggestions put forward in this paper, including the call for greater control of ASGM, may also be applied in other developing countries which suffer from similar problems and conditions.

Mapping the Reality of Hg-Free Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining

Artisanal gold mining (AGM) is a very important topic, of which the environmental and social impact has been widely studied. However, there are few studies on operational efficiency, financial analysis, and the lack of mine planning. The purpose of this work was to investigate whether AGM operation without mercury is sustainable. The following parameters were analyzed in the case study: the general situation, interaction with the company that owns the area, production, drilling and blasting, loading and transport, freight to the centralized plant, workforce, materials and supplies, geological control planning and the relationship with the processing plant. Even without the mercury variable, AGM was found to be unsustainable. The lack of planning and operational inefficiency did not allow for continuous operation. The results of this research provide guidance on the future steps the current government and society should take to achieve sustainable AGM.

Dental Amalgam and the Minamata Convention on Mercury Treaty: Make Mercury History for All

Mercury, known as the most toxic non-radioactive element to man, poses a significant threat to all living beings and the environment in all its forms. As a global pollutant, it demands urgent attention and effective measures to mitigate its toxic effects. The Minamata Convention on Mercury Treaty, adopted in 2013 and enforced in 2017, stands as a vital instrument in combating this pervasive toxin. Presently, 144 countries have ratified the treaty, embodying the collective commitment to the mantra "Make Mercury History." As countries work diligently to eliminate mercury from various products and processes, such as thermometers, batteries, lighting, and cosmetics, dental amalgam remains a notable concern. Being one of the top mercury-containing products globally, dental amalgam has drawn attention for its phasedown approach within the treaty. The dental sector alone accounts for an estimated 340 tonnes of mercury usage each year. Alarmingly, mercury derived from dental amalgam infiltrates the black market, ultimately entering the artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector, the primary source of global mercury pollution. Furthermore, dental amalgam plays a significant role in municipal wastewater mercury contamination, as it has been identified as the largest source of this toxic element in such environments. Considering its pervasive nature, diverse pathways of contamination, and its ability to bioaccumulate in both humans and the environment, it is evident that the toxic legacy of dental amalgam will persist long after the placement of the last amalgam filling. The pressing issue of mercury toxicity makes it imperative for action to be taken through the Minamata Convention on Mercury Treaty. As we strive to "Make Mercury History" for the well-being of all living organisms, mercury dental amalgam must be proactively addressed to prevent its continued contribution to global mercury pollution.

Rural Knowledge Transformation in Terms of Mercury Used in Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM)-A Case Study in Gorontalo, Indonesia.

Gorontalo is reputed to be one of the best-quality gold producers in the Indonesian archipelago. Gold production has been largely achieved through the activities of artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM), which as part of its extraction process, primarily uses mercury-a substance known to cause negative impacts on health and the environment, leading also to numerous socio-economic issues. This research aims (1) to investigate the extent of rural knowledge regarding mercury and to determine whether a video that explains mercury and the problems that occur as a result of ASGM can significantly transform rural populations' knowledge; (2) to inspect different factors separating the SR group (those who live in the same regency as the ASGM area) from the NR group (those who live in the neighboring regency/city of the ASGM area) and to find out whether said factors are statistically significant. The results show that the test subjects' knowledge of mercury had increased after watching the video, and that their willingness to oppose ASGM activities is one of the significant factors within the two groups. Moreover, this paper briefly describes the follow-up activities of the SRIREP project (Co-creation of Sustainable Regional Innovation for Reducing Risk of High-impact Environmental Pollution) in encouraging rural communities to explore sustainable livelihoods as an alternative to ASGM.

Determination of Cyanide Concentration Levels in Surface Water and Soil from Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining Villages at Chunya, Mbeya - Tanzania

This study aimed to determine levels of cyanide (CN) pollution in the soil and surface water at selected mining sites of Mbeya region. A total of (n = 124) samples were collected and analyzed by spectrophotometry. The cyanide levels of soil-based samples and water-based samples at Mwasenga, and Ifumbo mining sites were above the permissible limits. This was due to poor disposal of tailing from the gold processing plants and mismanagement of wastewater. On the other hand, the Cyanide was within the allowable limit for both soil and water at Godima, Itewe, Ashishira and Nyatula mining sites. This was attributed by proper management of wastewater by using artificial tanks, ponds and trenches. Also, it was observed that there is a mobility of cyanide from the processing mining site, if the tailings and wastewater are not well managed. The concentration of cyanide in the soil and water samples of about 2 mg/L was observed at distance of more than 70 m from the processing plant at Mwasenga, the situation is even worse at Ifumbo, where the cyanide concentration in soil and water were about 25 and 8 mg/L respectively, at a distance of more than 50 m from processing plant

Mercury risk reduction in artisanal and small-scale gold mining: A fuzzy AHP-Fuzzy TOPSIS hybrid analysis

Decision-making in choosing the appropriate mining technique can be difficult, especially when there are a plethora of alternatives and criteria. Mercury amalgamation has been the most prevalent technique employed in artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) but this has been associated with profound health risk. As part of a process of developing a risk management framework for ASGM, this paper reviews the common mining alternatives and criteria for their selection, and demonstrates a methodology for choosing an optimum technique. A hybrid model of fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS has therefore been developed to evaluate mining options. The fuzzy AHP is used to obtain criteria weights while the fuzzy TOPSIS is used in evaluating alternatives in respect of criteria to select the ideal solution.

Local intensity of artisanal gold mining drives mercury accumulation in neotropical oxbow lake fishes

Driven by surges in global gold prices and additional socio-economic factors, artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the Global South is increasing and driving emissions of significant quantities of mercury (Hg) into the air and freshwater. Hg can be toxic to animal and human populations and exacerbate the degradation of neotropical freshwater ecosystems. We examined drivers of Hg accumulation in fish that inhabit oxbow lakes of Peru's Madre de Dios, a region with high biodiversity value and increasing human populations that depend on ASGM. We hypothesized that fish Hg levels would be driven by local ASGM activities, by environmental Hg exposure, by water quality, and by fish trophic level. We sampled fish in 20 oxbow lakes spanning protected areas and areas subject to ASGM during the dry season. Consistent with previous findings, Hg levels were positively associated with ASGM activities, and were higher in larger, carnivorous fish and where water had lower dissolved oxygen levels. In addition, we found a negative relationship between fish mercury levels associated with ASGM and the occurrence of the piscivorous giant otter. The link between fine-scale quantification of spatial ASGM activity and Hg accumulation, as indicated by the result that in the lotic environment, localized effects of gold mining activities are stronger drivers (77 % model support) of Hg accumulation than environmental exposure (23 %) constitutes a novel contribution to a growing body of literature on Hg contamination. Our findings provide additional evidence of high Hg exposure risks to neotropical human and top carnivore populations subject to the impacts of ASGM, which depend on freshwater ecosystems undergoing gradual degradation. The documented spatial variation in Hg accumulation and increased Hg levels in carnivorous fish should serve as a warning to human communities in Madre de Dios to avoid the proximity of high-intensity gold mining areas and minimize local carnivorous fish consumption.

The Existence of Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining in Indonesia, The Impact of Public Health and Environmental Sustainability : A Narrative Review

Introduction: This study reviewed the negative impacts of artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM). This paper presents an examination of ASGM’s impact on health, with the scope of discussion covering human diseases and disorders, toxic substances, public and miners’ safety, environmental damage, socioeconomic conditions. This study contributes mitigation recommendations for ASGM in Indonesia. This research subject is important because there has not been an ASGM study that has reviewed these aspects in Indonesia. Discussion: Chronic diseases, acute diseases, infectious diseases, and disabilities can threaten local communities’ health and survival. Toxic heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and lead are difficult to avoid in ASGM, since they have a high level of use. Other pollutants generated by ASGM are noise and silicia dust. ASGM has caused accidents with a total of 36 minor injuries, an estimated 57 serious injuries, and 11 deaths. ASGM also causes water, soil, and air pollution; it is a threat to the geology of world heritage sites. ASGM has been proven to improve the community's economy in several parts of Indonesia. Conclusion: ASGM has proven to have a significant impact on public health, environmental sustainability, and the socioeconomic state of Indonesian society. In general, the lack of ASGM legitimization in Indonesia is an enabling factor for these impacts.

Bacterial Metal-Scavengers Newly Isolated from Indonesian Gold Mine-Impacted Area: Bacillus altitudinis MIM12 as Novel Tools for Bio-Transformation of Mercury.

Selikat river, located in the north part of Bengkulu Province, Indonesia, has critical environmental and ecological issues of contamination by mercury due to artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activities. The present study focused on the identification and bioremediation efficiency of the mercury-resistant bacteria (MRB) isolated from ASGM-impacted areas in Lebong Tambang village, Bengkulu Province, and analyzed their merA gene function in transforming Hg2+ to Hg0. Thirty-four MRB isolates were isolated, and four out of the 34 isolates exhibited not only the highest degree of resistance to Hg (up to 200ppm) but also to cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb). Further analysis shows that all four selected isolates harbor a merA operon-encoded mercuric ion (Hg2+) reductase enzyme, with the Hg bioremediation efficiency varying from 71.60 to 91.30%. Additionally, the bioremediation efficiency for Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb ranged from 54.36 to 98.37%. Among the 34, two isolates identified as Bacillus altitudinis possess effective and superior multi-metal degrading capacity up to 91.30% for Hg, 98.07% for Cu, and 54.36% for Cr. A pilot-scale study exhibited significant in situ bioremediation of Hg from gold mine tailings of 82.10 and 95.16% at 4- and 8-day intervals, respectively. Interestingly, translated nucleotide blast against bacteria and Bacilli merA sequence databases suggested that B. altitudinis harbor merA gene is the first case among Bacilli with the possibility exhibits a novel mechanism of bioremediation, considering our new finding. This study is the first to report the structural and functional Hg-resistant bacterial diversity of unexplored ASGM-impacted areas, emphasizing their biotechnological potential as novel tools for the biological transformation and adsorption of mercury and other toxic metals.

Geochemistry and geostatistics for the assessment of trace elements contamination in soil and stream sediments in abandoned artisanal small-scale gold mining (Bétaré-Oya, Cameroon)

Soil and stream sediment contamination from abandoned artisanal mines is of prime importance due to the associated potential for heavy metal and metalloid contamination. Indeed, mine wastes are an evident source of soil and stream sediment contamination. The aim of the current study is to propose a conceptual approach to assess the contamination degree and the spatial distribution of trace elements in soils and stream sediments around mine sites. The abandoned artisanal gold mine of Bétaré-Oya in Cameroon was considered as a case study. In order to separate anthropogenically contaminated soils and stream sediments from the un contaminated ones, representative soil, stream sediment and mine wastes samples were collected and analyzed for the pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), mineralogical paragenesis, major elements and trace elements. Very acidic pH values and high EC values ranging from 3.2 to 5.8 and from 44 to 315 μs cm−1, respectively were obtained for the analyzed samples. Based on the enrichment factor (EF) calculation, four elements of interest (Co, Cd, Cu and As) were selected for soils and seven elements of interest (Co, Cd, Cu, As, Cr, Pb and Zn) were selected for stream sediments. The Geochemical Background (GB) of these elements was determined with the normal Q-Q plot, the Geo-accumulation index (Igeo) was calculated and the geochemical maps for soils and stream sediments were elaborated using geostatistics in Geographic Information System (GIS) environment.The obtained results show that Bétaré-Oya soils and stream sediments are contaminated with metals and metalloid that exceed the established GB values for soil (Co ≈ 17.73 mg/kg, Cd ≈ 0.36 mg/kg, Cu ≈ 146.81 mg/kg and As≈48.82 mg/kg) and GB values for stream sediments (Co ≈ 30.90 mg/kg, Cd ≈ 0.24 mg/kg, Cu ≈ 173 mg/kg, As≈51.59 mg/kg, Cr ≈ 137 mg/kg, Pb ≈ 7.56 mg/kg, and Zn ≈ 39.48 mg/kg). The Igeo calculation revealed that soils and stream sediments were highly influenced by anthropogenic activity. The maximum values of the Igeo, especially for Cd ≈ 4.59, Pb ≈ 2.83, and Zn ≈ 2.97, highlighted the highly contaminated samples and therefore quantify accurately the contamination degree. Finally, geochemical maps of soils and stream sediments show clearly that mine wastes are the main source of trace elements contamination in the study area.

Formalization of ASGM in the Frame of Economic and Environmental Sustainability

Artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM), owned by individuals, is one form of mineral mining that has been regulated by law. The dilemma in the management of ASGM lies in its dual nature, serving as both an economic potential and a source of environmental harm. This study aims to analyze the existence of ASGM and its impact on economic, environmental, and social sustainability. This juridical normative research employs a statute approach, conceptual approach, and comparative approach. The study’s results revealed the existence of ASGM, which, until the present day, has generally been conducted without permits. In order to mitigate its environmental impacts while preserving it as an economic resource, ASGM needs to be formalized, enabling its activities to be monitored and the law to be enforced.