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Formalizing artisanal mining ‘spaces’ in rural sub-Saharan Africa: The case of Niger

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  • Hilson, Gavin
  • Goumandakoye, Halima
  • Diallo, Penda

Abstract

This paper contributes to the debate on the dynamics and impact of informal artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) – low-tech, labour-intensive mineral processing and extraction – in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the case of Niger. The analysis draws on findings from interviews carried out with government officials in Niger's capital, Niamey, and artisanal miners in two of the country’s major artisanal gold-producing localities, Komabangou and M’Banga. Since it has gone virtually unexamined in the literature, Niger provides fresh perspectives on ASM’s informality in sub-Saharan Africa, a discussion which is rapidly gathering momentum in the region’s donor and development dialogues. Most of the moves taken to date to formalize and support ASM in the country have focused on the technical and financial aspects of the sector’s activities: emphasis has been placed on controlling the activity ad hoc, rather than proactively engaging and supporting operators.

Suggested Citation

  • Hilson, Gavin & Goumandakoye, Halima & Diallo, Penda, 2019. "Formalizing artisanal mining ‘spaces’ in rural sub-Saharan Africa: The case of Niger," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 259-268.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:80:y:2019:i:c:p:259-268
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.09.023
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Hook, Andrew, 2019. "Over-spilling institutions: The political ecology of ‘greening’ the small-scale gold mining sector in Guyana," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 438-453.
    9. Arthur-Holmes, Francis & Abrefa Busia, Kwaku & Katz-Lavigne, Sarah, 2023. "‘We don't joke with our money’: Gender-based occupational segregation and women's remuneration negotiations in artisanal and small-scale mining," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    10. Francis Xavier Dery Tuokuu & Uwafiokun Idemudia & Eugene B. G Bawelle & John Bosco Baguri Sumani, 2020. "Criminalization of “galamsey” and livelihoods in Ghana: Limits and consequences," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 44(1), pages 52-65, February.
    11. Osman, Adams & Owusu, Martin Tabi & Anu, Stephen Kwame & Essandoh, Sampson & Aboansi, Justice & Abdullai, Dennis, 2022. "Ban on artisanal mining in Ghana: Assessment of wellbeing, party affiliation and voting pattern of miners in Daboase, Western Region," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).

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