Policies and regulations for Brazil’s artisanal gold mining sector: analysis and recommendations |
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| Authors: | Rodolfo Sousa Marcello Veiga Dirk Van Zyl Kevin Telmer Sam Spiegel Jeff Selder |
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| Institution: | 1. Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, University of British Columbia, 6350 Stores Rd., V6T 1Z4 Vancouver, BC, Canada;2. School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria, Canada;3. University of Cambridge, UK;1. Departamento de Engenharia de Produção e Mecânica, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, 36036-330 Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil;2. United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS), 6F International Organizations Center, Pacifico-Yokohama 1-1-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama 220-8502, Japan;1. Mining and Nuclear Engineering Department, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65401, USA;2. University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana;3. University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia;1. Department of Environment, Landscape and Infrastructure Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Italy;2. Research Center for Responsible Mining, University of São Paulo, Brazil;3. Instituto of Geociêncas, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil;4. Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, University of São Paulo, Brazil;5. Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, University of British Columbia, Canada;1. Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, University of British Columbia, Canada;2. UBC-US Department of State Project, Peru;3. Department of Mining & Petroleum Engineering, University of São Paulo, Brazil;1. UNIDO – United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Bogotá, Colombia;2. Dept of Mining Engineering, University of Brtish Columbia, Vancouver, Canada;3. Dept of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia |
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| Abstract: | In Brazil, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) produces in the range of 6 tonnes of gold (Au) per annum, and employs approximately 200,000 people. Most of this mining activity is in the Amazon region, where miners have been extracting gold for more than 40 years. In the Tapajos River Basin, assessments indicate that around 99% of miners operate without the environmental and mining permits required by law. This is a result of a combination of unrealistic or lack of proper policies and regulations, lack of political will, lack of infra-structure to enforce the existing regulations and lack of incentives to miners to comply with legal requirements.In this article, we analyze a group of 20 laws, decrees and resolutions in Brazil, focusing on how idiosyncrasies in these regulations reveal gaps between policy and reality in ASGM areas. Artisanal miners operate in vast and remote areas and the government lacks the resources (personnel, vehicles, information and materials) to enforce the laws. Our analysis emphasizes the need for creating new government commitments and identifying priority areas where government agents can focus their efforts.There is no single solution for the environmental, health, technical and socio-economic problems associated with ASGM. However, a realistic approach should consider improving the level of education of miners, creating government programs to provide technical assistance in the field, simplifying administrative procedures and ensuring adequate measures for enforcement. |
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