©ARM
May 14th 2015
In order to uncover the basic necessities required for the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector to ensure the rights of people immersed in the activity, the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) launches a new publication: “Minería y Derechos Humanos: Una mirada desde el sector Artesanal y de Pequeña Escala”.
This publication exposes the important role formalization of ASM has in the recognition of artisanal and small scale miners’ rights. It also presents strategies for adopting and implementing a rights-based approach in ASM through the principles of the right to work, freedom of association, environmental protection and inclusion processes.
“With this publication we aim to fill a gap in the literature about ASM that traditionally does not address miners’ rights. We have to ask ourselves what conditions are necessary to make formalization possible and make the most of the socio-economic potential of this sector. We need holistic strategies and rights play an important role in these“, said Lina Villa Cordoba, Executive Director of the Alliance for Responsible Mining.
ARM is convinced that ASM has the potential to be a dignified, responsible and sustainable economic sector, and this new publication seeks to contribute to the construction of this vision. Systems and instruments such as Fairmined Certification supports this vision allowing the introduction of a rights-based approach in ASM while still offering a market incentive for formalization.
The publication is part of the ARM’s Responsible ASM Series and was developed with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) through the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) during 2013-2014 as part of the project “Strengthening incentives for formalization and improved environmental and social performance in Artisanal and Small-scale Mining in Bolivia, Colombia and Peru”.
The publication is available for download here.