The purpose of this book is to examine both the positive and negative socioeconomic impacts of artisanal and small-scale mining in developing countries. In recent years, a number of governments have attempted to formalize this rudimentary sector of industry, recognizing its socioeconomic importance. However, the industry continues to be plagued by a wide range of problems, including environmental and health-related impacts, rampant illegal activity and illicit mineral marketing, and disease. The book provides an up-to-date overview of social and economic conditions in the artisanal and small-scale mining industry, integrating both theoretical assessments with case study research recently undertaken in the field. It features the following five sections: Policy and Regulatory Issues in the Small-Scale Mining Industry; Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining, Labour and the Community; African Case Studies of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining; Asian Case Studies of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining; and Latin American Case Studies of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining. Geared toward servicing a wide-ranging audience, including academics, consultants, and government researchers, The Socioeconomic Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Developing Countries is an invaluable tool for policy-makers at all levels.
