When Policy Is Not Enough: Prospects And Challenges Of Artisanal And Small-Scale Mining In South Africa

Abstract

As in most countries, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) activities are
recognised in South Africa. ASM activities first became part of the socioeconomic development agenda of the country in 1994 after the change in
government. ASM was identified as an important platform where
disadvantaged South Africans can participate and benefit from the mining
industry. This is because of the potential benefits that government has sought
to support the sub-sector. In the past two decades, several programmes and
initiatives have been introduced to promote and advance the sub-sector. In
the majority of cases, these interventions failed to facilitate the development
of the sub-sector and, to a large extent, its contribution to local economies.
This is attributed to a myriad of challenges still facing the sub-sector today.
The objective of this paper is to map all the critical developments that took
place in the sub-sector in an attempt to develop and deploy appropriate
assistance to the sub-sector. The paper assesses their impact, if any, on the
growth of ASM in South Africa. With the country into its second decade of
democracy, it has become crucial to reflect on past experiences and use them
as learning curve to create a new thriving economy.