Conflicts between small‐ and large‐scale mining
in Tanzania and Senegalcauses, nature, and mitigation
strategies
Johanna Carstens Projekt‐Consult GmbH
Outline
• Background information
• Sources of conflicts
• Case studies– Tanzania
– Senegal
• Mitigation strategies
• Conclusion
IntroductionMining sector in most African countries comprises
ASM and LSM
Numbers of ASMhave grown since the arrival of LSMdue to increased pressure on land
International LSMinvestors attracted during neoliberalreforms starting inthe 1990s
ASM mostlyinformal and oftentraditional income earning activity for local population
Introduction
• Conflicts between ASM and LSM (often involving the administration) occur inalmost 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
Sources of conflicts
Government does
not secure our
guaranteed rights
Government
ASMLSM
Assisting mining
parties in conflict
is not our
responsability
Artisanal miners
steal our natural
resources anddon‘t
abide by the law
Legal framew
ork
is biased; we get
no support
Artisanal miners violateour mining titles
LSM companies treat us unequably
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 protectiondue to informality
Grievance II• (perceived) unfair treatment by the LSMcompanies– Costs and Benefits of LSM Taking all for themselves and leaving nothing to the locals
– Displacement, environmental degradation andcompensation
– Militarisation of mining areas– Sweeping „invading“ artisanal miners off their concessions
Lack of communicationSignificant lack of communication among all mining stakeholders
No commu‐nication
Reserve Misconceptions, prejudices
Tension, conflict
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 Senegalshow how – The same sources of conflicts exist even though the general conditions are verydifferent
– 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 inAfrica and also produces significant quantities ofgemstones
• 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 ofincentives 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 mineralorigin
Nature of conflicts
• Conflicts are open and partly violent• Acts of sabotage are carried out• Clashes between artisanal miners and LSMcompany 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; allothers still exploring
• Around 30,000 artisanal miners• All ASM „illegal“, concentrated inKédougou 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 haveto 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 atone site threats of sabotage
• Mining stakeholders and general public lackawareness of conflicts
Mitigation strategies
Have to be adapted to specific situation!
Promote
communication
among all
mining
stakeholdersRevise existing
mining laws to
ensure a better
balance of costs
and benefits for
the local
population
Improve
capacity of
administration
Promote
company‐
community
engagement
Promote and
simplify
procedures for
relinquishment
of parts of
permits for
ASM
Mitigation strategies for Tanzania case
Ensure that part of mining revenues comesback to local level
Ensure that artisanal miners are not usedas prospectors and then chased away without compensation
Mitigation strategies for Tanzania case
Better incorporate ASM
Make provision for artisanal exploitation licenses within exploration licenses
Simplify relinquishment ofparts of concessions for ASM
Increase capacity to assist artisanal miners effectively
Promote interaction between all mining stakeholders
Establish formalcommunication and conflict resolution channels andclearly define their authority
Revise mining laws
Training and financial resources for administration
Communication
Mitigation strategies for Tanzania case
Make companies
understand
that they have
to work directly
with artisanal
miners
Relinquish
areas for
ASM
Training in
relevant skills
andemployment
Livelihood
diversification
and sub‐
contracting
Assist ASM
organisation/
formalisation
Provide
micro‐finance
schemes
Mitigation strategies for Senegal case
Raise awareness of conflicts and their consequencesTake advantage of the early stage of mining sector and the presently low levels ofgrievance and try to prevent conflictsEnsure local beneficiation of andparticipation in mining projects to increase acceptance
Mitigation strategies for Senegal case
Better incorporate ASMIncrease security of
artisanal mining licenses
Increase accessibilityIncrease capability to
assist mining stakeholders effectively
Promote interaction between companies and ASM communities
Ensure the differentparties understand each other‘s perception of their rights, obligations andraisons d‘être
Revise mining laws
Training and financial resources for administration
Communication
Mitigation strategies for Senegal case
Relinquish
areas forASM
Establish
education
channels to
qualify locals in
the skills
needed by the
companies
Promote
employment
with companies
Promote
livelihood
diversification
and sub‐
contracting
with companies Promote
effective
community
development
programmes
Conclusion
• Marginalisation of ASM through mining policiesand companies‘ attitude results in substantialgrievances
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
Contact: johanna.carstens@projekt‐consult.de