Mineral exhaustion and its livelihood implications for artisanal and small-scale miners. Issue 119 (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pedersen, Anna Frohn; Nielsen, Jonas Østergaard; Friis, Cecilie; Jønsson, Jesper Bosse
• Is Part Of: Environmental science & policy. Issue 119(2021)
• Page Start: 34
• Page End: 43
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Artisanal and small-scale mining -- Livelihood diversification -- Mineral decline -- Sustainable development goals -- Tanzania; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Sciences de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Environmental policy; Environmental sciences; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.70561
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2021.02.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-9011

Abstract

Highlights: Extracting gold is becoming increasingly difficult for artisanal and small-scale miners in Geita, Tanzania. We explore and discuss the implications of mineral exhaustion for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Diversification and exit strategies are important strategies to safeguard sustainable livelihoods. A better integration of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and mineral decline into the SDG agenda is needed. Abstract: Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is a vital livelihood practice around the world, especially in the Global South. In Tanzania, millions of people depend on artisanal and small-scale gold mining and many of these people are in Geita, the main gold mining region of Tanzania. Based on qualitative research conducted in this region, this paper engages the artisanal and small-scale miners' experiences of gold mining. It highlights how extracting gold is experienced as increasingly difficult and how miners worry that gold reserves will be exhausted in the near future. Academic attention and policy making have focused on formalization and sustainable management of ASM, addressing current practices and their social and environmental impacts. However, a knowledge gap remains in the understanding of livelihood implications that emerge when mineral sources are nearing exhaustion and they become harder to extract. In Geita, this has led miners to diversify their investments and consider alternative livelihood strategies. With a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this paper calls for a broader sustainability discussion on ASM, as well as a better integration of ASM into the SDG agenda. This integration should consider exit strategies for miners as their livelihoods depend upon non-renewable resources.