It is estimated that close to 25 million artisanal and small-scale miners currently operate globally with a further 100 million workers indirectly involved in the industry. This dwarfs the number active in large-scale mining and presents a huge development opportunity. Unfortunately, management of the sector is currently typically weak and inconsistent.
The informal mining sector can be a source of social conflict and can result in serious impacts on human health and the environment. Integrating artisanal and small-scale mining into the formal economy can help miners and communities by increasing security, creating a path towards more stable incomes and ensuring that safer and more environmentally sustainable practices are employed.
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