ASM Training Centers
One of the emerging topics that’s come out is the mercury agenda. Artisanal and small-scale miners and the processing centers where they take their ore, are the number one emitter of human-released mercury in the world. As a result of this, there is a treaty that was signed in 2013 called the Minamata Convention. This treaty has a multi-faceted approach to eventually reduce mercury from all sources, including artisanal miners. A lot of funders have stepped up, recognizing that if you want to reduce mercury use from artisanal miners, you need a pedagogical approach to reduce mercury in their everyday operations through onsite training.
Another challenge with the artisanal mining sector is that there’s a lot of short-term interest in this sector. A lot of funding will come in when somebody gets inspired. But very little long-term commitment is seen. This is why training is paramount.
Barksanem? firmly believes that any ASM initiative needs a long-term approach. Long term for Barksanem?, should be measured in generations not years. Our medium-term goal is to establish ASM training programs specializing in mining, environmental and agricultural techniques.
It is well known that fundamental changes in business practices, and other areas of life for that matter, require an approach that integrates at least three generations, or about 20 years for most emerging nations. The first generation will be the one that will upset the traditions and principles, often with much resistance and even pain. Then the second generation will be the one who will popularize the new practices so that finally the third generation naturally and intrinsically integrates them into their behavior. Paradigm shifts in the ASM field cannot be achieved solely by force of law and constraint. In our opinion, a long-term approach will help change attitudes and business practices within artisanal mining and small-scale mining. All stakeholders ultimately have their role to play, with the same intention and on a path that is common to all.
Metallurgist | Plant Manager | Mineral Processing Engineer | Process Engineering | Project Management | ECSA Cand.PrTechEng |
6 年Very insighful piece. That is my wish for the Zimbabwe ASM sector, to establish ASM training programs specializing in mining, environmental, health and safety techniques. Zimbabwe ASM gold sector is large, in the past 3 years the sector has contributed ~60% of Zimbabwe's total gold production, in 2018 the ASM sector produced a total of 22 tonnes of gold as a collective, and this is gold accounted for. Larger amounts of gold are smuggled into the 'black-market' and outside the country. With ASM being such a huge sector in Zimbabwe, training of miners on sustainable & safe mining & processing methods and on environmental issues still largely lacks. It is paramount for such training to be intensified. I am willing to work together with entities such as?Barksanem? on such programs.