IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/ecoind/v45y2024i4p1213-1241.html

‘Mining women’ and livelihoods: Examining the dominant and emerging issues in the ASM gendered economic space

Author

Listed:
  • George Ofosu

    (College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences, Brunel Business School, Brunel University London, UK)

  • David Sarpong

    (Aston Business School, Aston University, UK)

  • Mabel Torbor

    (Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, UK)

  • Shadrack Asante

    (Faculty of Business and Law, Leicester Castle Business School, De Montfort University, UK)

Abstract

The intractable challenges faced by female mine workers have come to dominate the discourse and scholarship on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) operations. However, the extensive focus on the informal and labour-intensive segments has engendered a failure to capture the nuances in the duality of ASM operations and how it impacts female outcomes. Drawing on intersectionality as a lens, in this article the authors map the dynamics on how issues related to the gender, situatedness and positionality of female mine workers interact to shape their situated labour outcomes. Highlighting the differentiated outcomes for female mine workers within the contingencies of the broader socio-cultural context in which ASM work is organised, the article sheds light on how the social identity structures such as gender, sexuality and class interact to give form to the marginalisation, occupational roles, the ‘boom town’ narrative and occupational and health challenges that characterise the ASM gendered economic space.

Suggested Citation

  • George Ofosu & David Sarpong & Mabel Torbor & Shadrack Asante, 2024. "‘Mining women’ and livelihoods: Examining the dominant and emerging issues in the ASM gendered economic space," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 45(4), pages 1213-1241, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:45:y:2024:i:4:p:1213-1241
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X231212562
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0143831X231212562
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1177/0143831X231212562?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Banchirigah, Sadia Mohammed, 2008. "Challenges with eradicating illegal mining in Ghana: A perspective from the grassroots," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 29-38, March.
    2. Paschal, Makungu & Kauangal, Jignesh, 2023. "Women position in artisanal and small-scale mining in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    3. Arthur-Holmes, Francis & Abrefa Busia, Kwaku, 2020. "Household dynamics and the bargaining power of women in artisanal and small-scale mining in sub-Saharan Africa: A Ghanaian case study," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    4. Arja Tyrkko, 2002. "The Intersection between Working Life and Parenthood: A Literature Review," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 23(1), pages 107-123, February.
    5. Hilson, Gavin & Ackah-Baidoo, Abigail, 2011. "Can Microcredit Services Alleviate Hardship in African Small-scale Mining Communities?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 39(7), pages 1191-1203, July.
    6. Gabriel Botchwey & Michael Nest & Riccardo D'Emidio, 2023. "Working with legal small‐scale miners: Implications for development," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(6), pages 1239-1253, August.
    7. Deborah Fahy Bryceson & Jesper Bosse Jønsson & Hannelore Verbrugge, 2014. "For Richer, for Poorer: Marriage and Casualized Sex in East African Artisanal Mining Settlements," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 45(1), pages 79-104, January.
    8. Laine Munir, 2022. "Do Cooperatives Improve Female Miners’ Outcomes? A Case Study of Rwanda," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(11), pages 2349-2365, November.
    9. Zander, Udo & Zander, Lena & Gaffney, Seán & Olsson, Jeanette, 2010. "Intersectionality as a new perspective in international business research," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 26(4), pages 457-466, December.
    10. Katherine C. Malpeli & Peter G. Chirico, 2013. "The influence of geomorphology on the role of women at artisanal and small‐scale mine sites," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 0(1), pages 43-54, February.
    11. Dominic P. Parker & Jeremy D. Foltz & David Elsea, 2016. "Unintended Consequences of Sanctions for Human Rights: Conflict Minerals and Infant Mortality," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 59(4), pages 731-774.
    12. Katherine C. Malpeli & Peter G. Chirico, 2013. "The influence of geomorphology on the role of women at artisanal and small‐scale mine sites," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 37(1), pages 43-54, February.
    13. Jenny Rodriguez & Evangelina Holvino & Joyce K. Fletcher & Stella M. Nkomo & Jenny K. Rodriguez & Evangelina Holvino & Joyce K. Fletcher & Stella M. Nkomo, 2016. "The Theory and Praxis of Intersectionality in Work and Organisations: Where Do We Go From Here?," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(3), pages 201-222, May.
    14. Búi K Petersen & James Chowhan & Gordon B Cooke & Ray Gosine & Peter J Warrian, 2023. "Automation and the future of work: An intersectional study of the role of human capital, income, gender and visible minority status," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 44(3), pages 703-727, August.
    15. Natalia Yakovleva & Diego Alfonso Vazquez-Brust & Francis Arthur-Holmes & Kwaku Abrefa Busia, 2022. "Gender equality in artisanal and small-scale mining in Ghana: Assessing progress towards SDG 5 using salience and institutional analysis and design," Post-Print hal-04702883, HAL.
    16. Adriana Eftimie & Katherine Heller & John Strongman & Jennifer Hinton & Kuntala Lahiri-Dutt & Nellie Mutemeri, 2012. "Gender Dimensions of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining : A Rapid Assessment Toolkit," World Bank Publications - Reports 2731, The World Bank Group.
    17. Maclin, Beth J. & Kelly, Jocelyn T.D. & Perks, Rachel & Vinck, Patrick & Pham, Phuong, 2017. "Moving to the mines: Motivations of men and women for migration to artisanal and small-scale mining sites in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 115-122.
    18. Gavin Hilson & Chris Garforth, 2013. "‘Everyone Now is Concentrating on the Mining’: Drivers and Implications of Rural Economic Transition in the Eastern Region of Ghana," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(3), pages 348-364, March.
    19. Martinez, Gerardo & Smith, Nicole M. & Malone, Aaron, 2021. "Formalization is just the beginning: Analyzing post-formalization successes and challenges in Peru's small-scale gold mining sector," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    20. Bashwira, Marie-Rose & Cuvelier, Jeroen & Hilhorst, Dorothea & van der Haar, Gemma, 2014. "Not only a man's world: Women's involvement in artisanal mining in eastern DRC," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 109-116.
    21. Geenen, Sara, 2012. "A dangerous bet: The challenges of formalizing artisanal mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 322-330.
    22. James Richards & Kate Sang, 2019. "The intersection of disability and in-work poverty in an advanced industrial nation: The lived experience of multiple disadvantage in a post-financial crisis UK," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 40(3), pages 636-659, August.
    23. Zolnikov, Tara Rava, 2020. "Effects of the government's ban in Ghana on women in artisanal and small-scale gold mining," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    24. Elizabeth Koomson, 2019. "Work patterns and gender reproduction in the Talensi small‐scale gold‐mining industry in Ghana: Implications for social welfare policy," International Journal of Social Welfare, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(1), pages 100-107, January.
    25. Jenny K. Rodriguez & Tracy Scurry, 2019. "Female and foreign: An intersectional exploration of the experiences of skilled migrant women in Qatar," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(4), pages 480-500, May.
    26. Sarpong, David & Ofosu, George & Botchie, David & Clear, Fintan, 2020. "Do-it-yourself (DiY) science: The proliferation, relevance and concerns," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    27. Stemn, Eric & Amoh, Prince Oppong & Joe-Asare, Theophilus, 2021. "Analysis of artisanal and small-scale gold mining accidents and fatalities in Ghana," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    28. Hilson, Gavin, 2017. "Shootings and burning excavators: Some rapid reflections on the Government of Ghana's handling of the informal Galamsey mining ‘menace’," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 109-116.
    29. Neil Gunningham, 2008. "Occupational Health and Safety, Worker Participation and the Mining Industry in a Changing World of Work," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 29(3), pages 336-361, August.
    30. Béatrice Labonne, 1996. "Artisanal mining: an economic stepping stone for women," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 20(2), pages 117-122, May.
    31. Bowleg, L., 2012. "The problem with the phrase women and minorities: Intersectionality-an important theoretical framework for public health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(7), pages 1267-1273.
    32. Nyame, Frank K. & Blocher, Joseph, 2010. "Influence of land tenure practices on artisanal mining activity in Ghana," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 47-53, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Arthur-Holmes, Francis & Mengba, Jennifer Dokbila, 2025. "Hidden mining capitalism, mineral transportation chain, and gendering livelihoods in Africa's artisanal and small-scale mining: Evidence from northern Ghana," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Abrefa Busia, Kwaku & Arthur-Holmes, Francis, 2024. "Women and gender in artisanal and small-scale mining: A review and future research directions," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    2. Fernando Morante-Carballo & Néstor Montalván-Burbano & Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar & Paúl Carrión-Mero, 2022. "A Bibliometric Analysis of the Scientific Research on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-29, July.
    3. Arthur-Holmes, Francis & Ofosu, George, 2024. "Rethinking state-led formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM): Towards mining licence categorisation, women empowerment and environmental sustainability," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    4. Ofosu, George & Arthur-Holmes, Francis, 2025. "Transforming Ghana's ASM industry: The intersection of ‘mining schemes’ and stakeholder collaboration," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    5. Donkor, Peter & Siabi, Ebenezer Kwadwo & Mensah, Samuel Kofi & Frimpong, Kwasi & Vuu, Christopher & Nyantakyi, Emmanuel Kwesi & Siabi, Elikplim Sarah & Ameyaw, Albright Boachie-, 2025. "Informal artisanal and small-scale mining in sub-saharan Africa: Policy evolution, sector formalization, and future trajectories," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    6. Rejoice Selorm Wireko-Gyebi & Michael Osei Asibey & Owusu Amponsah & Rudith Sylvana King & Imoro Braimah & Godfred Darko & Anne Mette Lykke, 2020. "Perception of Small-Scale Miners on Interventions to Eradicate Illegal Small-Scale Mining in Ghana," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(4), pages 21582440209, October.
    7. Arthur-Holmes, Francis & Mengba, Jennifer Dokbila, 2025. "Hidden mining capitalism, mineral transportation chain, and gendering livelihoods in Africa's artisanal and small-scale mining: Evidence from northern Ghana," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    8. Paschal, Makungu & Kauangal, Jignesh, 2023. "Women position in artisanal and small-scale mining in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    9. Kala, Marshall, 2015. "Entrepreneurship and Poverty Reduction: The Case of the Youth in Small-Scale Mining in Ghana," Miscellaneous Publications 358828, University of Ghana, Institute of Statistical Social & Economic Research (ISSER).
    10. Natalia Yakovleva & Diego Alfonso Vazquez-Brust & Francis Arthur-Holmes & Kwaku Abrefa Busia, 2022. "Gender equality in artisanal and small-scale mining in Ghana: Assessing progress towards SDG 5 using salience and institutional analysis and design," Post-Print hal-04702883, HAL.
    11. Van Bockstael, Steven, 2019. "Land grabbing “from below”? Illicit artisanal gold mining and access to land in post-conflict Côte d’Ivoire," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 904-914.
    12. Bansah, Kenneth Joseph & Boafo, Abigail & Acquah, Paul Junior & Wiafe, Benitta & Owusu, Lilian, 2025. "Military intervention in informal mining: Allegations of bias and power dynamics in local and foreign mining operations," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    13. Sauerwein, Titus, 2020. "Gold mining and development in Côte d’Ivoire: Trajectories, opportunities and oversights," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    14. Mensah, Albert Kobina & Tuokuu, Francis Xavier Dery, 2025. "Subaltern environmentalism and small-scale mining reforms in Ghana: the new government's five-point strategy and a model for mining site reclamation," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    15. Hilson, Gavin & Hilson, Abigail & Maconachie, Roy, 2018. "Opportunity or necessity? Conceptualizing entrepreneurship at African small-scale mines," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 286-302.
    16. 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).
    17. Hilson, Gavin & Van Bockstael, Steven & Sauerwein, Titus & Hilson, Abigail & McQuilken, James, 2021. "Artisanal and small-scale mining, and COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa: A preliminary analysis," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    18. Jan Macháček, 2019. "Typology of Environmental Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in African Great Lakes Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-24, May.
    19. Baddianaah, Issah, 2024. "“If you don't go to site, they call you a lazy person”: Drivers of women's participation in artisanal and small-scale mining: The case of rural northern Ghana," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    20. Osei, Lydia & Yeboah, Thomas & Kumi, Emmanuel & Antoh, Ernestina Fredua, 2021. "Government's ban on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining, youth livelihoods and imagined futures in Ghana," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:45:y:2024:i:4:p:1213-1241. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.ekhist.uu.se/english.htm .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.