Artisanal Exploitation of Mineral Resources: Remote Sensing Observations of Environmental Consequences, Social and Ethical Aspects

Abstract

Since the rise of the gold price in 2000, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a growing economic activity in developing countries. It represents a source of income for several millions of people in West Africa. Exploitation techniques have evolved from traditional gold panning to mechanization and use of chemical products that are harmful for the environment. Government strategies to control and regulate this activity are impeded by the difficulties to collect spatial information, due to the remote location and the mobile and informal natural of ASGM. Here we present and discuss the value of remote sensing techniques to complement the knowledge on artisanal mining impacts, including for detection of illegal sites, the evaluation of the degradation of soils and waters, the deforestation and the monitoring of expansion of ASGM with time. However, these techniques are blind regarding gender issues, labor relations, mobility, migration, and insecurity and need to be considered with knowledges from other disciplines. Remote sensing is also instilled with various powers accruing to those enabled to produce and interpret these data. Remote sensing should be therefore used in a reflexive manner that accounts for the social, ethical and political implications of ASGM governance informed by space observations.

Detection and mapping abandoned areas of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) using multi-sensor data on Google Earth Engine: A case study of Kuantan Singingi, Riau

“…Integration optical and radar sensors could be considered as data input for future ASGM studies, since the results of this study show that radar sensors are more uniform at detecting, but the sensitivity of optical sensors is more delicate in detection particular areas. To fully harness the potential of remote sensing techniques in enhancing the understanding of artisanal mining impacts, it is crucial to adopt interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches, which can effectively address the multifaceted challenges linked to mining sites [18].…”

Structural Controls of the Expansion of Small‐Scale Artisanal Gold of Bouda Area (Kaya‐Goren Green Belt, Burkina Faso) From Remote Sensing

“…Artisanal mining was once considered an activity practiced by farmers and poor populations to meet their daily needs due to the declining productivity of their crops caused by the dry season and/or climate change. Today, this activity is Africa’s most important rural non‐agricultural activity (Abass Saley et al., 2021; Hilson, 2020; Ngom, Baratoux, et al., 2022). In Burkina Faso, artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM) is legally practiced under an Authorization of Artisanal Exploitation (AEA, standing for Autorisation d’Exploitation Artisanale, in French).…”

Resilience Capability of Indigenous People Affected by Small-Scale Gold Mining Activities: A Prevention Approach

“…Rational actions demanding the arbitrariness of non-renewable ASGM are increasing, especially in regional areas with uncorrected geographical layouts. The facts that emerge from exploiting natural energy supplies and social injustice among the community are targeted victims of mining settlements [7]. This opinion of [8] views social and political thinking as a policy exploration of the limits of mining opening practices, which is a substantial relocation for the consideration of inclusive development reconstruction and upholding equitable human freedom [8].…”