Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) refers to formal or informal mining characterized by low capital intensity and high labour intensity and relatively simple methods for exploration, extraction, and processing.
There are between 20 to 50 million people working in artisanal and small-scale gold mining worldwide, mainly in developing regions, accounting for 90% of people working in gold mining and between 12% to 20% of annual gold production.
The presence of ASM around B2Gold’s mines and on our exploration permits in Mali and the Philippines is a critical issue. Risks include conflict over access to land for ASM, conflict with security forces during intrusions for the purposes of ASM or scavenging ore, an increase in crime and corruption in local communities, loss of livelihood following displacement of artisanal miners, the presence of child or forced labour involved with ASM, and the potential liability for labour, environmental, or health and safety impacts. The absence of effective and enforced regulation of ASM by authorities increases these risks.
Our strategic approach to ASM is to seek and maintain a peaceful co-existence based on the context at each site, including political and social dynamics, the presence and capacity of regulatory authorities, and the nature of the risks.
Launching FEMA
The Kéniéba District in Mali is known as one of the most important gold-producing areas in Africa. Artisanal and small-scale mining is a traditional livelihood and regular activity in the region. The presence of women and children at artisanal mining sites is common and they are among the most vulnerable people in Mali: they work on the sites, have limited access to health and education services and schooling, and they are prone to experiencing violence, abuse and exploitation.
During 2022, the Community Relations department at our Fekola Mine in Mali partnered with Global Affairs Canada and launched Femmes et Enfants des Communautés Minières Artisanales, which translates to Women and Children of the Artisanal Mining Communities – the FEMA Project.
The FEMA project, a five-year endeavour, is dedicated to enhancing the living conditions of women, safeguarding the rights of children within artisanal mining communities, and strengthening governance in the Kéniéba area. Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls, FEMA represents a crucial step towards fostering positive change in the local community.
Key highlights for Year 2 (2023) of the FEMA project include:
- Support for 35 village savings and loan associations, fostering economic empowerment and financial inclusion among women.
- Identification of techniques employed by women’s groups at artisanal mining sites, with plans to equip them with tools for increased profitability and safety.
- Heightened community awareness campaigns on the adverse impacts of artisanal mining on children, advocating for their protection and rights.
- Establishment of the Children’s Parliament in the Kéniéba cercle, providing 30 children, including 18 girls, with essential training on child rights and mechanisms to combat child labour.
- Completion of a comprehensive study on the factors contributing to school dropout rates among children in Kéniéba, informing strategies to address child labour issues effectively.
- Formation of the Kéniéba Inclusive Management and Monitoring Committee in Artisanal Mining, serving as a pivotal technical body to address challenges and promote sustainable practices in artisanal mining operations.
B2Gold will continue to support the FEMA project in Mali, to promote inclusion and stability within the ASM sector, and to improve female income and structures to participate in community conversations that will facilitate cultural change and, hopefully, reverse the school drop-out rate for children – the group with the most to gain from reformations in the sector.