Summary of Policy Suggestions

Social and economic policies to regularize ASGM activities are likely to be most effective if they are clearly articulated incentives, developing out of "partnerships" with the Minerals Commission, and be easy for miners to understand and follow. Only by assisting miners with means to improve their practices, develop community infrastructure, and employ safer methods will ASGM activities have less environmental impact and greater positive impact on people’s health and well-being. Specific suggestions include: Interventions to improve the living conditions of people who are part of ASGM communities must be carefully designed to be sustainable over years and decades. To improve environmental protection and enhance the health of people involved in ASGM, policies should provide consistent and meaningful incentives for miners and their families to follow regulations. If they are to be accepted and effective, policies and laws related to the ASGM sector must be simple and described in a manner that is easily understood. To stabilize and grow ASGM as an economic enterprise, assistance and incentives, including micro-credit and micro-financing, should be designed and implemented. While protecting the rights of individual miners in the context of social norms, enforcement of regulations has to be consistent and fair. To enhance the long-term stability of ASGM economic benefits and human development potential, while minimizing the adverse health and environmental impacts, constant re-evaluation of policy effectiveness and new needs will be required.