Quest for Pragmatic Solutions to Complex Environmental and Health Problems of Small Scale Mining (ASM): Second IGCP-SIDA-UNESCO Project 606 Report

The workshop held in Kumasi, Ghana, aimed to address the complex health and environmental challenges posed by small-scale mining (ASM), particularly focusing on the implications for miners and local communities. The objective was to assess the impact of ASM activities, evaluate existing mining technologies, and discuss the broader context of ASM regulation and its socio-economic effects. The methodology involved a series of sessions that included scientific discussions, field visits to mining operations, and a collaborative effort to develop actionable recommendations for public health and sustainable practices within the sector. Participants, consisting of around 45 interdisciplinary experts from several African nations, engaged in sharing knowledge about the benefits and downsides of ASM while exploring strategies for effective intervention and support systems. The results highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive roadmap to balance the socio-economic benefits of mining with the imperative of maintaining health and environmental integrity, and proposed future directions for the International Union of Geological Sciences to better support ASM management. These findings contribute significantly to ongoing discussions on sustainable development in the context of small-scale mining in Sub-Saharan Africa.