Mining and MineralsArtisanal and Small Scale Mining: Formalisation and Support
Artisanal and small scale mining employs far more people across Africa than the formal sector and produces a large share of some minerals, under conditions that are dangerous, environmentally damaging and largely outside the tax net. This course covers working with it rather than around it. Delegates work through the sector's structure and economics, the legal and licensing pathways to formalisation and why they are so often not taken, and mercury use in gold recovery with the alternatives available. Occupational health and safety improvement at a realistic level is covered. Finance, market access and fair pricing follow. The course closes on the relationship between artisanal miners and large scale operations sharing ground.
Course objectives
- Describe the structure and economics of the artisanal sector
- Map the legal and licensing pathways to formalisation
- Explain why formalisation is often not taken up, and what changes that
- Address mercury use in gold recovery and the alternatives
- Improve occupational health and safety at a realistic level
- Improve access to finance, markets and fair pricing
- Manage the relationship between artisanal miners and large scale operations
Who should attend
- Government and regulatory staff working with the sector
- Development agency and donor programme staff
- Mining company community and social performance teams
- Cooperative leaders and small scale mine operators
- Researchers and consultants working on the sector
Course outline
- 01A sector larger than the formal one
- 02Structure and economics
- 03Legal and licensing pathways
- 04Why formalisation is not taken up
- 05Mercury use and its alternatives
- 06Practical health and safety improvement
- 07Finance, markets and fair pricing
- 08Coexistence with large scale operations
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 to 23 December 2026 | Durban, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 11 to 13 January 2027 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 24 to 26 March 2027 | Online | Online | R6,500 per delegate | Register Now |