Transcript NEGETIVE IMPACT OF ARTISANAL AND SMALL SCALE MINING …

PRESENTATION ON THE NEGETIVE
IMPACT OF ARTISANAL AND SMALL
SCALE MINING ON WOMEN IN
SIERRA LEONE
Presented by
Ester Finda Kandeh
BACKGROUND TO ARTISANAL AND SMALL SCALE
MINING IN SIERRA LEONE
Artisanal & Small-Scale Miners
Artisanal & Small-Scale Mining in S/Leone is largely
perceived as a poverty driven activity in the mining
areas. As a result large numbers of our
communities are involve in this process including
women and children. There are increasing levels of
involvement by these miners in some parts of
S/Leone for livelihoods. Certain communities are
involve in this mining in year round while others
are seasonal for both diamond and goal mining.
For other small-scale miners, mining can be seasonal
or a part time informal activity that adds to their
livelihood. The mining can be done by individuals or
in small groups. It is often not organized or assisted.
The production could be marketed informally or
illegally. Pre-existing land rights are not necessarily
recognized by miners. Environmental and social
practices are self-regulated. Barriers to entry for
small-scale miners are minimal as this type of mining
requires low technology and little capital. Small-scale
and artisanal mining is usually poverty driven in Sierra
Leone.
Small scale Mining Companies are focus on
mineral exploration. These junior companies
generally sell out to major international
mining companies, or partner with them if
minerals or metals are found. As a result,
junior companies have short-term interests
and may not be concerned with
environmental and social impacts of mining.
Also they are not as interested in their public
image.
Artisanal Miners in Koidu town Kono
District
g
Gold Mining
Why women miners in Sierra Leone?
1. Income generation
2. To feed and educate their children
3. Easy access to make quick income
4. Lack of opportunities in other sectors
5. poor soils makes agriculture unproductive because of soil
degradation and deforestation
6. Artisanal Small mining is what they are use to as the best
Identified Negative impacts on women and girls on
Artisanal and small scale mining in Sierra Leone
1. Health problem
2. high perpetrate rape on girl miners
3. high dropping out schooling for girls
4. unwanted pregnancies and early marriage
5. low productive in agriculture
6. high rate of domestic violence
7. high prices of commodities
Recommendation
1. Enforcement of laws protecting the rights of women
2. Engage community stakeholders to formulate byelaws
to serve as auxiliary principle to protect women and
girls in the mining communities
3. provision of alternative livelihood for women in
mining communities
4. Training opportunities to increase knowledge, skills
and positive attitude towards safe and sustainable
income generation.
5. Build capacity of government to develop
regulations, monitor and evaluate impacts of
mining, and put up regulatory framework, as well
as to promote good governance and transparency.
For local communities
Conclusion
/////////////