Conflicts between small‐ and large‐scale mining in Tanzania and Senegal causes, nature, and mitigation strategies
Johanna Carstens
Projekt‐Consult GmbH
Outline • Background information • Sources of conflicts • Case studies – Tanzania – Senegal
• Mitigation strategies • Conclusion
Introduction Mining sector in most African countries comprises ASM and LSM ASM mostly informal and often traditional income earning activity for local population
Numbers of ASM have grown since the arrival of LSM due to increased pressure on land
International LSM investors attracted during neoliberal reforms starting in the 1990s
Introduction • Conflicts between ASM and LSM (often involving the administration) occur in almost all countries with dual mining economy • They can be found in different intensities from latent conflicts of interest to violent clashes
Intensity of conflicts usually increases with time
LSM
ork ew t ram ge al f ; we Leg iased port p is b o su n
Ass par istin tie g m s i is n in co ning n res o po t our flict nsa bili ty
rs ine al m ural ‘t n isan nat Art l our nd do a w ste rces a he la y t ou res ide b ab
Go ve no rnme gua t sec nt d ran ure oe tee ou s d r r ig h ts
Sources of conflicts Government
Grievance I • De facto biased legal administrative framework in the mining sector • Rights system, especially licence allocation, not adapted to reality – Relevance of ASM is not recognized – Does not enjoy legal protection due to informality
Grievance II • (perceived) unfair treatment by the LSM companies – Costs and Benefits of LSM Æ Taking all for themselves and leaving nothing to the locals – Displacement, environmental degradation and compensation – Militarisation of mining areas – Sweeping „invading“ artisanal miners off their concessions
Lack of communication Significant lack of communication among all mining stakeholders No commu‐ nication Tension, conflict Reserve
Misconceptions, prejudices
Lack of communication Understanding each other‘s position is essential to build cordial relations and establish the trust necessary to cooperate
Examples of different conflicts • The examples of Tanzania and Senegal show how – The same sources of conflicts exist even though the general conditions are very different – The conflicts can be of a very different nature and intensity
Tanzania
Major ASM areas in Tanzania
Mining facts Tanzania • Tanzania is the 3rd largest producer of gold in Africa and also produces significant quantities of gemstones • Several „World class deposits“ (gold) mined by foreign LSM companies • Estimations for numbers of small‐scale miners range from 500,000 to 1.5 million • ASM mine mostly gold and gemstones in various locations all over the country, majority not licensed
Legal framework • Tanzania Mining Act (1998) provides a range of incentives for international LSM investors • Makes provision for small‐scale mining licenses but practically very difficult to get • No licenses within licenses • Conflicting customary and statutory land rights systems • No mining revenue backflow to region of mineral origin
Nature of conflicts • Conflicts are open and partly violent • Acts of sabotage are carried out • Clashes between artisanal miners and LSM company security personnel happen regularly • May involve injuries and fatalities • Mining stakeholders and general public are aware of conflicts
Senegal
Exploration permits and ASM sites in Kédougou area, Senegal
Mining facts Senegal • Mining sector of comparably little importance to Senegalese economy (now) • Only one gold mining concession at the moment + some building materials; all others still exploring • Around 30,000 artisanal miners • All ASM „illegal“, concentrated in Kédougou area, mine for gold
Legal framework • The Code Minier Sénégal (2003) also provides several incentives for international LSM investors • Makes provision for artisanal exploitation permits but none exist up to now • Artisanal exploitation licenses within exploration permits possible • Part of mining revenues shall benefit local level • Once the companies start exploitation they have to participate in the „Programme Social Minier“
Nature of conflicts • Conflicts are mostly latent • No violent clashes so far, road block only sabotage noted • Artisanal miners generally hope to solve their conflicts through negociation, only at one site threats of sabotage • Mining stakeholders and general public lack awareness of conflicts
Mitigation strategies Have to be adapted to specific situation! Promote n communicatio among all mining stakeholders
g Revise existin to mining laws er ensure a bett sts balance of co or and benefits f the local population
Promote company‐ community engagement
Improve capacity of n administratio
Promote and simplify r procedures fo nt relinquishme of parts of permits for AS M
Mitigation strategies for Tanzania case 9Ensure that part of mining revenues comes back to local level 9Ensure that artisanal miners are not used as prospectors and then chased away without compensation
Mitigation strategies for Tanzania case Revise mining laws 9Better incorporate ASM 9Make provision for artisanal exploitation licenses within exploration licenses 9Simplify relinquishment of parts of concessions for ASM
Training and financial resources Communication for administration 9Increase capacity to assist artisanal miners effectively
9Promote interaction between all mining stakeholders 9Establish formal communication and conflict resolution channels and clearly define their authority
Mitigation strategies for Tanzania case Make companies understand e that they hav tly to work direc l with artisana miners
Livelihood n diversificatio and sub‐ contracting
Assist ASM / organisation formalisation
Provide micro‐ finance schemes
Relinquish areas for ASM
Training in relevant skills and employment
Mitigation strategies for Senegal case 9Raise awareness of conflicts and their consequences 9Take advantage of the early stage of mining sector and the presently low levels of grievance and try to prevent conflicts 9Ensure local beneficiation of and participation in mining projects to increase acceptance
Mitigation strategies for Senegal case Revise mining laws 9Better incorporate ASM 9Increase security of artisanal mining licenses
Training and financial resources Communication for administration 9Increase accessibility 9Increase capability to assist mining stakeholders effectively
9Promote interaction between companies and ASM communities
9Ensure the different parties understand each other‘s perception of their rights, obligations and raisons d‘être
Mitigation strategies for Senegal case
Establish education channels to in qualify locals the skills e needed by th companies
Promote employment with companies
Promote livelihood n diversificatio and sub‐ contracting ies with compan
Relinquish areas for ASM
Promote effective community development programmes
Conclusion • Marginalisation of ASM through mining policies and companies‘ attitude results in substantial grievances ¾ Mounting grievance causes conflicts • Conflicts differ in their level of graveness • Mitigation strategies have to be developed according to specific situation • Goal: secure livelihoods of local population
Mange tak for jeres opmærksomhed Thank you very much for your attention
