Challenges versus support offered to small-scale mining in South Africa

Abstract

Artisanal Small-scale Mining (ASM), according to the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) (2017b) is a complex as well as diverse sub-sector of the mining industry that is characterised by legal, semi-legal as well as illegal activities that exploit minerals and metals across the entire range using low-technology mineral extraction and processing operations (Hentschel, 2003; Hilson, 2002; Legal Resources Centre, 2016). Globally, ASM is recognised as a viable source of income for the unemployed (Dreschler, 2001; IGF, 2017b; Yakovleva, 2007). This is particularly true for developing countries such as South Africa (SA) (Legal Resources Centre, 2016). The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) believes that ASM is the perfect vehicle to drive socio-economic change and has the potential to contribute immensely towards the SA economy but is confronted by a number of challenges (Ledwaba & Nhlengetwa, 2016; Mutemeri & Ledwaba, 2017) Over the years, numerous programmes have been established to support the ASM sector, but the sub-sector remains small (Hilson, 2007; Ledwaba, 2017). Researchers have questioned the appropriateness of the support provided, but to date no research has been conducted to assess this (Mutemeri & Ledwaba, 2017). To take a step towards the provision of appropriate support for ASMs, this research seeks to highlight the differences between the challenges the miners face and the support that they are offered by government as well as private institutions. Due to the exploratory nature of this study, an exploratory qualitative research methodology was used (Creswell, 2003). To ensure that participants did not feel restricted in their responses; an interview schedule with open-ended questions was drawn up in order to aid the face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The results of the study reveal a clear mismatch between the challenges experienced by the ASMs and the support that is provided to them. This study shows that while there is support for ASMs, this support does not entirely talk to the needs of the ASMs on the ground nor does it reach all ASMs that may be experiencing the similar challenges. To resolve the mismatch and close the gaps in ii the support provided to ASMs, it is recommended that the supporters consolidate their efforts and employ a collaborative to supporting ASMs. Keywords: Artisanal Small-scale Mining, Challenges, Support, South Africa