The IGF is proud to be a supporting partner of The International Conference on Artisanal and Small-scale Mining & Quarrying (ASM18), taking place September 11-13, 2018, in Livingstone, Zambia. The IGF is hosting the workshop on women in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), an integrated feature of the conference’s parallel sessions.
The IGF’s workshop, part of its collaboration with IIED, will highlight our recent report on challenges and opportunities for women’s participation in ASM, as well as our report highlighting global trends in ASM.
The goal of the conference is to foster a global dialogue about the development opportunities and challenges of ASM, while providing a space for the voices of ASM to share visions of the future.
A wide spectrum of commodities will be discussed, ranging from the well-known, such as precious metals and precious stones, to those that have yet to receive due attention, such as Development Minerals, like aggregate and clay.
Up to 400 participants are expected to attend ASM18, representing:
- Artisanal and small-scale miners, quarry workers, mineral processors and users, traders, equipment manufacturers, end-product producers and other private sector actors involved in the minerals supply chain
- Representatives of mining and quarry associations, including women’s mining associations
Representatives of government ministries, agencies and geological surveys - Academics and researchers
- Civil society and non-government organizations
- Multilateral and bilateral development actors, including intergovernmental organizations
ASM18 will highlight a variety of topics impacting the ASM sector. The conference program will consist of a mix of plenary and panel sessions on the following themes:
- ASM formalization
- Policy reform, regulatory frameworks and the business enabling environment
- Strengthening value chains, value addition and market access
- Inclusive finance and ASM enterprises (SMEs)
- Geological data and technical knowledge
- Digital technologies and innovation
- Local economic development and livelihood approaches
- Responsible mineral supply chains, minerals certification and standards
- ASM and infrastructure
- Mercury and the Minamata Convention
- Biodiversity, rehabilitation sedimentation and environmental management
- Conflict financing and illicit financial flows within mineral supply chains
- Occupational and community health and safety
- Gender and youth
- Human rights
- Child labour
- Migration, ASM and the development nexus
- ASM data and statistics
- Quarry management and productivity
- ASM’s interface with large-scale mining and agriculture
- Quarried material and disaster reconstruction
ASM18 complements IGF’s existing programming on ASM, the focus of which is the Guidance for Governments: Managing Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining, as well as:
- ASM Guidance implementation workshops, supplemental guidance and webinars
- Mining Policy Framework (MPF) assessment reports and follow-up training on ASM
- IGF-GEUS ASM workshops and handbooks delivered as part of PanAfGeo
You can find more information about ASM18 and how to register online.
For more information about the IGF’s work in artisanal and small-scale mining, please visit:
- IGF Guidance for Governments: Managing Artisanal and Small-scale Mining
- Mining Policy Framework: pillar six on artisanal and small-scale mining
- Capacity Building and Training: Artisanal and small-scale mining training partnership with PanAfGeo