Guía para Gobiernos del IGF: Gestionando la Minería Artesanal y en Pequeña Escala

This guide provides a comprehensive three-phase framework for governments to develop, implement, and monitor strategies for managing Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM). It emphasizes the need for inclusive governance, the categorization of mining practices by impact, and the use of tailored economic and regulatory instruments to integrate informal mining into legal and economic systems while reducing social and environmental harm.

• The guide outlines a three-phase process for governments to manage Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM): Phase 1 focuses on preparation (forming task forces and analyzing context), Phase 2 on developing a vision and strategy (categorizing ASM types and setting objectives), and Phase 3 on implementation and monitoring (execution and evaluation).
• The Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) identifies three primary goals for governing ASM to ensure sustainable development: integrating informal activities into the legal system, integrating them into the formal economic system, and reducing social and environmental impacts.
• Governments are advised to categorize ASM practices into three levels to prioritize interventions: 'unacceptable' practices (e.g., child labor, funding armed groups) which must be illegal; 'bad' practices which should be phased out via regulation; and 'good' practices which the government should promote.
• For managing impacts, the guide suggests three possible regulatory models based on government capacity: a licensing and regulation approach (most desirable), a good-practice promotion approach (for lower capacity), or a combined approach using designated 'ASM zones' where regulation is easier to enforce.
• Economic support instruments for ASM can include land allocation, credit programs, technical assistance, geological data provision, and the facilitation of supply chain initiatives (such as Fairmined or ITSCI) to improve market access and human rights standards.
• The guide emphasizes that tax policies must be carefully balanced; excessive taxation can discourage miners from seeking legal licenses and may drive the sector back into informality.
• Cross-border cooperation is highlighted as essential for managing ASM due to issues like illicit trafficking, tax evasion, and transboundary pollution, suggesting mechanisms such as joint working groups or border-area secretariats.
• Implementation of ASM strategies should include 'economic resettlement' for displaced workers, following IFC Performance Standard 5, to ensure they obtain new employment or business opportunities.
• A robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system is required to track performance through indicators and annual reports, allowing the government to adjust the strategy based on real-world results.
• The guide suggests that governments can use state-sponsored buying schemes to incentivize compliance, where the state buys production at competitive prices from miners who adhere to regulations and undergo inspections.

APA

Paget, D., Garrett, N., & Crawford, A. (2017). Guía para Gobiernos del IGF: Gestionando la Minería Artesanal y en Pequeña Escala. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/igf-guidance-for-governments-asm-es.pdf

Chicago

Paget, Dan, Nicholas Garrett, and Alec Crawford. Guía para Gobiernos del IGF: Gestionando la Minería Artesanal y en Pequeña Escala. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2017. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/igf-guidance-for-governments-asm-es.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Paget |first1=Dan |last2=Garrett |first2=Nicholas |last3=Crawford |first3=Alec |title=Guía para Gobiernos del IGF: Gestionando la Minería Artesanal y en Pequeña Escala |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=January 2017 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/igf-guidance-for-governments-asm-es.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{paget2017gua, author = {Paget, Dan and Garrett, Nicholas and Crawford, Alec}, title = {{Guía para Gobiernos del IGF: Gestionando la Minería Artesanal y en Pequeña Escala}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2017}, month = jan, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/igf-guidance-for-governments-asm-es.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }