Safeguarding livelihoods or exacerbating poverty? Artisanal mining and formalization in West Africa

TLDR

Policy mechanisms to formalize artisanal and small‑scale mining in sub‑Saharan Africa have gained traction, as proponents argue that many social and environmental problems stem from its unregulated, informal nature. The study critically examines recent formalization efforts for artisanal and small‑scale mining in West Africa, drawing on fieldwork in Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Mali. The analysis is based on fieldwork conducted in Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Mali. The findings show that bringing informal mining into the legal domain remains a considerable challenge and that formalization strategies must refocus on miners’ livelihood constraints to alleviate poverty and benefit depressed communities.

Abstract

In recent years, policy mechanisms to support a formalized artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector in sub-Saharan Africa have gained increasing currency. Proponents of formalization argue that most social and environmental problems associated with the sector stem from the fact that ASM is predominantly unregulated and operates outside the legal sphere. This paper critically examines recent efforts to formalize artisanal and small-scale mining in West Africa, drawing upon recent fieldwork carried out in Sierra Leone, Ghana and Mali. In exploring the sector's livelihood dimensions, the analysis suggests that bringing unregulated, informal mining activities into the legal domain remains a considerable challenge. The paper concludes by confirming the urgent need to refocus formalization strategies on the main livelihood challenges and constraints of small-scale miners themselves, if poverty is to be alleviated and more benefits are to accrue to depressed communities in mineral-rich regions.