The dark aspect of the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector is highlighted in a recent research published by the World Gold Council (WGC) in collaboration with the Rt. Hon. Dominic Raab. According to the research, “Silence is Golden,” criminal networks are taking use of this industry, which supplies a sizable amount of the world’s gold supply, to finance organized crime, terrorism, and war.
The important problems that the ASGM business is facing are highlighted in the paper. It points out that the implementation and enforcement of legal norms are hampered by the lack of openness in governments and enterprises. Criminals can act with impunity when accountability systems are weak, which results in serious violations of both domestic and international law. Criminal organizations also benefit from the exploitation of miners, frequently exposing them to hazardous working conditions and violations of their human rights.
The research suggests a four-pronged approach with 24 doable actions for governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, mining firms, and development agencies to tackle these issues. Prosecution and dismantling criminal networks, along with encouraging global collaboration between G7 and G20 nations, are among the main recommendations.
Small-scale mining operations by individuals or small businesses, known as ASGM, are common in more than 80 countries, especially in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. This business is extremely susceptible to exploitation due to its informal structure, which also presents serious hazards such as tax fraud, environmental harm, and worker safety issues.