Mining ‘From Below’: Taking Africa’s artisanal miners seriously

Jesper Bosse Jønsson; Niels Fold

doi:10.1111/j.1749-8198.2011.00435.x

Mining ‘From Below’: Taking Africa’s artisanal miners seriously

Jesper Bosse Jønsson, Niels Fold

Geologi

37 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is of growing importance for the livelihoods of an increasing number of Africa’s rural population. Therefore, the sector is increasingly being recognized by African governments, donor institutions and researchers for its role in national development processes.
This paper reviews four issues that drive the dynamics within ASM and situates the sector in broader development and formalization problematics. These issues are (i) ASM as part of livelihood portfolios, (ii) the organizational dynamics of ASM, (iii) ASM conflicts with large-scale mining companies, and (iv) ASM in alternative trade regimes based on ethical standards. In conclusion, the paper stresses the need for a context-sensitive formalization and strengthening
of ASM: Domestically led mining operations potentially constitute a necessary means for African states to better balance the co-existence of national and large-scale foreign-owned mining companies.

Originalsprog	Engelsk
Tidsskrift	Geography Compass
Vol/bind	5
Udgave nummer	7
Sider (fra-til)	479–493
ISSN	1749-8198
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-8198.2011.00435.x
Status	Udgivet - jul. 2011

Adgang til dokumentet

10.1111/j.1749-8198.2011.00435.x

Citationsformater

@article{70e76493ad3b411dbc19457a0b1b0296,

title = "Mining {\textquoteleft}From Below{\textquoteright}: Taking Africa{\textquoteright}s artisanal miners seriously",

abstract = "Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is of growing importance for the livelihoods of an increasing number of Africa{\textquoteright}s rural population. Therefore, the sector is increasingly being recognized by African governments, donor institutions and researchers for its role in national development processes. This paper reviews four issues that drive the dynamics within ASM and situates the sector in broader development and formalization problematics. These issues are (i) ASM as part of livelihood portfolios, (ii) the organizational dynamics of ASM, (iii) ASM conflicts with large-scale mining companies, and (iv) ASM in alternative trade regimes based on ethical standards. In conclusion, the paper stresses the need for a context-sensitive formalization and strengthening of ASM: Domestically led mining operations potentially constitute a necessary means for African states to better balance the co-existence of national and large-scale foreign-owned mining companies.",

author = "J{\o}nsson, {Jesper Bosse} and Niels Fold",

year = "2011",

month = jul,

doi = "10.1111/j.1749-8198.2011.00435.x",

language = "English",

volume = "5",

pages = "479–493",

journal = "Geography Compass",

issn = "1749-8198",

publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",

number = "7",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Mining ‘From Below’: Taking Africa’s artisanal miners seriously

AU - Jønsson, Jesper Bosse

AU - Fold, Niels

PY - 2011/7

Y1 - 2011/7

N2 - Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is of growing importance for the livelihoods of an increasing number of Africa’s rural population. Therefore, the sector is increasingly being recognized by African governments, donor institutions and researchers for its role in national development processes. This paper reviews four issues that drive the dynamics within ASM and situates the sector in broader development and formalization problematics. These issues are (i) ASM as part of livelihood portfolios, (ii) the organizational dynamics of ASM, (iii) ASM conflicts with large-scale mining companies, and (iv) ASM in alternative trade regimes based on ethical standards. In conclusion, the paper stresses the need for a context-sensitive formalization and strengthening of ASM: Domestically led mining operations potentially constitute a necessary means for African states to better balance the co-existence of national and large-scale foreign-owned mining companies.

AB - Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is of growing importance for the livelihoods of an increasing number of Africa’s rural population. Therefore, the sector is increasingly being recognized by African governments, donor institutions and researchers for its role in national development processes. This paper reviews four issues that drive the dynamics within ASM and situates the sector in broader development and formalization problematics. These issues are (i) ASM as part of livelihood portfolios, (ii) the organizational dynamics of ASM, (iii) ASM conflicts with large-scale mining companies, and (iv) ASM in alternative trade regimes based on ethical standards. In conclusion, the paper stresses the need for a context-sensitive formalization and strengthening of ASM: Domestically led mining operations potentially constitute a necessary means for African states to better balance the co-existence of national and large-scale foreign-owned mining companies.

U2 - 10.1111/j.1749-8198.2011.00435.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1749-8198.2011.00435.x

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1749-8198

VL - 5

SP - 479

EP - 493

JO - Geography Compass

JF - Geography Compass

IS - 7

ER -

Mining ‘From Below’: Taking Africa’s artisanal miners seriously

Abstract

Adgang til dokumentet

Fingeraftryk

Citationsformater