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This report highlights the key problems faced by ASM groups, such as lack of collectivization and information, and lack of management capabilities. It also presents success stories and solutions, including HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, mercury recovery techniques, and equipment access. The report emphasizes the importance of knowledge development, funding, training, and networking to encourage progress.
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GROUP 3 TECHNOLOGY AND CAPACITY BUILDING THEMATIC SESSION #3 GROUP REPORT
The key problems (1) • Lack of collectivisation and information • Groups • Associations • Communities • SSMiners (competing interest, withholding vital information)
The key problems (2) • lack of management capabilities which will result in the requirement of higher management skills • basic skills lacking for technology solutions • lack of government appropriate solutions and political will • lack of direct access to the market (a miner in the bush is always being swallowed by some vultures so-called middlemen; this result in not having a fair trade and brings desperation)
HIV/AIDS • Aids awareness campaigns and training in mining communities in Tanzania has worked towards reducing the HIV/AIDS prevalence. This has enabled production to increase and the skilled personnel can still be utilised.
Mercury poisoning (1) • The Zimbabwean GMP programme have carried out process demonstration. To this effect, ASMs have began to appreciate other gold recovery techniques like improved sluices and centrifuges in place of copper plates. • A draft mercury legislation which address the use of mercury and cyanide has been proposed and could be passed into law before the end of the year in Zimbabwe.
Mercury poisoning (2) • Mintek has designed a process named iGoli which has been tested in the laboratory and also piloted in South Africa (Springs). The process addresses the problem of quality, safety and environment by making sure that the effluent produced is neutralized and the final resultant waste solution is environmentally friendly.
Degradation of the environment by ASM • Transformation/reform from ASM’s to formal mining, has been encouraged by the mining act which has been amended in South Africa/ Tanzania/ Zimbabwe/Zambia etc. • EU/EIB has sponsored training of miners who have enhanced their skills in environmental and mine safety. • SEAMIC/Mintek have carried out training in small scale mining and beneficiation as a way to create awareness for mineral identification and proper mining.
ASM equipment access • The Madagascar research institutions have developed equipment such as sluice boxes etc., where the equipment has been adapted by the locals to try and address the problem of efficiency and increased production. • Gold processing equipment for ASMs have been developed to catch the finest gold being lost into tailings by ASM. • Formation of the gemological institute in Madagascar to train in ASM activities and beneficiation • In Sudan engineering blue prints for equipments in technology have been introduced to the local manufactures through TDU sponsored by UNIDO
Alternative livelihood • The palm oil project in Ghana which has employed the once disgruntled miners who were displaced by the big mines. This has bridged the discrepancies between the communities and the mine yet still, created employment for some people. • Restoration of land through appropriate mining engineering interventions for the promotion of sustainable livelihoods in African settings (research paper).
Monitoring and regulations • Formalization of ASM’s has also increased production which has subsequently led to increased tax revenues for government and it is easy to regulate. • Recovery from tailings has been made possible because of technologies like the centrifugal concentrators. These are more environmentally friendly than the sluice boxes.
What can CASM do To encourage progress and solutions
Layout • Knowledge Development • Funding • Training • Networking
Knowledge pool • Geoscientists without borders (pool of expertise's) to handle • Work with technologies groups (MINTEK – SEAMIC – PRACTICAL ACTION – CETEM-to find appropriate approaches at local level • Best practices mapping – sharing good practices, facilitated links (e.g. with those involved in successful projects) to share experiences. Who is doing what?
Knowledge pool (2) • Database with the different ASM research organizations & experts (i.e. mapping) • Cluster approach – need more awareness. CASM – disseminate/sensitize/look at other sectors for lessons in clusters • Upstream and lateral (equipment manufacturers) needs training/sensitization etc. Lots of agricultural manufacturers exist already • Link existing entities (e.g. SME techs) with projects on the ground
Funding • Support what is viable. How to encourage? Add security. • Best practices for funding opportunities (financial capital generation) in multiple sectors (more lessons in MFIs/grants etc) • CASM connected to World Bank! Talk about funding. More money for … How WB can help to raise money from royalties (policy reform)
Training • Support Integrated Resource Management – build knowledge, skills, awareness etc • Value added processes – e.g. training schools for these things near to mining areas. • Lack of management/training (e.g. workers, managers). Link with training institutions. • Develop training to ensure gender properly included in technology development (and all of the above, funding, etc). Guidelines? Gender Training of ALL people involved in ASM (from the SSminer to the CASM SMAG).
Network • SSMiner networking – work together on projects, visit other sites/countries, share lessons and experiences.
