©ARM
July 23th 2015
Because caring for the environment is among the responsibilities of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), pilot sites of our project with UNIDO in Senegal and Burkina Faso are implementing a reforestation program. The program aims to respond to the problem of ASM miners cutting down trees that they need to build their mine tunnels.
With the support of the Alliance for Responsible Mining, our allies at the local level and the Association for Reforestation APAF, the mining communities have planted thousands of seeds in nurseries during the last two months. By August, it is expected that they will be ready to transplant into the surrounding fields for the benefit of the whole community.
The seeds will give birth trees that naturally fertilize the soil allowing regeneration and improving agricultural productivity without chemicals. Besides supporting the introduction of better practices in artisanal and small-scale mining sector, it is expected that the program also generates community development and facilitates solidarity and mutual responsibility between mining and agriculture.