Reforming small-scale mining in sub-Saharan Africa: Political and ideological challenges to a Fair Trade gold initiative

In sub-Saharan Africa, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) has caused a range of environmental, social and economic problems. Most of the donor support pledged to improve conditions in the sector to date, however, has failed to facilitate marked improvements, in large part because emphasis has been placed on technical interventions; at the same time, impoverished miners’ needs and concerns have been seriously overlooked. It is against this background that this paper critically examines the underpinnings and potential of “Fair Trade gold” as a solution to many of the problems plaguing the ASM sector and a mechanism for alleviating the hardships of its operators. Unlike the majority of ASM-support support measures implemented in the past, “Fair Trade gold” is entrenched in the discourse of “partnership” and “participation”. To ensure its effectiveness initiatives must be adapted according to the specificities of ASM.     

Pork knocking in the land of many waters: Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Guyana

The growth of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Guyana has received little attention in the literature, despite its rapid growth and now central importance in this small country's socioeconomic fortunes. Although the activity in Guyana shares commonalities with ASM activity elsewhere in the world, it also displays some unique characteristics. This article builds upon existing debates and current issues surrounding Guyanese ASM. A lack of baseline data and research on the dynamics, underlying forces and various outcomes of the ASM sector has acted as a significant constraint on the regulation and development of the sector in a completely desirable fashion. This has been the result of, but has also been exacerbated by, the ineffective nature of intervention, enforcement and assistance. This paper aims to demonstrate and argue for the need for developing much clearer understandings of and effective interactions with the ASM sector in Guyana. Such all developments are the more pressing given future policies, which may represent potentially sizeable challenges for the continued vibrancy of ASM operations.     

Determinants of foreign direct investment in the mining sector in Asia: A comparison between China and India

The aim of this paper is to assess the conditions that influence foreign direct investment in the mineral industries of China and India. The paper first surveys literature on the determinants of foreign direct investment to identify key conditions, under which host countries attract mining FDI. It then builds an evaluative framework which allows for comparative analysis. The paper then comparatively evaluates the performance of foreign investment regimes that govern mineral industries in China and India. Its findings show that the overall conditions for foreign mining investment in China and India are not favourable and that substantial policy, regulatory and other changes in both countries need to be made if more investment is to flow.