Global Trends in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM)

The report highlights the explosive growth of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), with an estimated 40.5 million direct workers in 2017. It examines the sector's critical role in global mineral supplies—including 20% of gold and 80% of sapphires—while detailing severe environmental and health risks, particularly from mercury use in gold mining. The document analyzes the tensions between ASM and large-scale mining (LSM), the limitations of current certification schemes, and the necessity of inclusive formalization processes that address the poverty-driven nature of the sector rather than focusing solely on entrepreneurs.

• Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) has seen rapid growth, with the number of directly engaged people rising from 6 million in 1993 to an estimated 40.5 million in 2017, supporting over 150 million dependents across approximately 80 countries in the global South.
• ASM is a significant contributor to the global supply of several minerals, accounting for approximately 20% of global gold, 80% of sapphire, and 20% of diamond supplies, as well as 26% of tantalum and 25% of tin production.
• The sector is a primary source of global mercury pollution, with estimated releases of 1,400 tonnes per year in 2011. Mercury is used primarily in gold mining to capture fine gold, often through inefficient 'whole ore amalgamation' (WOA) which releases large quantities of the toxin into tailings.
• There are significant power imbalances and conflicts between ASM and large-scale mining (LSM) due to overlapping concessions and governance frameworks that favor foreign direct investment over local artisanal miners.
• Ethical certification schemes like Fairmined and Fairtrade Gold aim to professionalize the sector, but critics argue they may only empower already licensed and relatively affluent cooperatives, failing to reach the most marginalized miners.
• Formalization is often hindered by bureaucratic and expensive licensing processes, leading to high informality rates of 70% to 80% among small-scale miners in many countries.
• ASM is predominantly a poverty-driven activity, often serving as a supplement to agriculture. Programs attempting to move miners into alternative livelihoods often fail because they do not recognize that ASM is frequently the alternative to unviable farming.
• The Minamata Convention on Mercury requires countries with significant ASGM to develop National Action Plans (NAPs), but its effectiveness is challenged by the emergence of new illegal mercury trade hubs and a lack of consideration for local socioeconomic contexts.

APA

Fritz, M., McQuilken, J., Collins, N., & Weldegiorgis, F. (2018). Global Trends in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM). International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/igf-asm-global-trends.pdf

Chicago

Fritz, Morgane, James McQuilken, Nina Collins, and Fitsum Weldegiorgis. Global Trends in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM). International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2018. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/igf-asm-global-trends.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Fritz |first1=Morgane |last2=McQuilken |first2=James |last3=Collins |first3=Nina |last4=Weldegiorgis |first4=Fitsum |title=Global Trends in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=January 2018 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/igf-asm-global-trends.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{fritz2018global, author = {Fritz, Morgane and McQuilken, James and Collins, Nina and Weldegiorgis, Fitsum}, title = {{Global Trends in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM)}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2018}, month = jan, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/igf-asm-global-trends.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }