By: Jairo Cárdenas, Sustainability Manager– Alliance for Responsible Mining
Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) represents a key component of the economy in many regions and provides livelihoods for more than 50 million families, particularly in Latin America. However, its environmental impact, contribution to climate change, and role in biodiversity loss have been topics rarely explored with technical rigor, leading to generalizations about the sector and its processes. The complex conditions of this sector are often characterized by a strong tendency toward informality, limited access to capital, low levels of technological adoption, and minimal institutional support.
The ASM universe is broad and diverse. At the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), we have focused our efforts on formal organizations and those in the process of formalization, which are committed to progressive improvement and the adoption of best practices. Our work with these ASMOs[1] aims to identify models that shed light on the question: How can this sector advance toward low-carbon processes, making a significant contribution to sustainability?
Emission reduction in global supply chains has been studied and implemented in recent years. Emissions from ASM are lower than those from larger-scale operations and, in addition, generate significant employment. During 2024 and 2025, with the support of the Scotiabank Net Zero Research Fund, we advanced our studies on footprint identification and measurement, as well as on their reduction. These efforts allow us to combine research and innovation with ASM communities, moving toward more competitive, sustainable, and low-emission mining.
Technical Diagnosis: Measuring the Invisible
One of the most valuable contributions of this research was achieving a comprehensive assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in ASM operations in Colombia and Peru. Once measurement protocols tailored to this scale were established, emissions were assessed in eight mining units, in accordance with the GHG Protocol. Significant progress was also made in educational processes on carbon footprint, as well as in the implementation of a pilot in a mine in Colombia, identifying challenges and opportunities for its reduction.
Among the most relevant findings for ASM are:
There is a predominance of indirect emissions, particularly those in Scope 3, which complicate direct reduction efforts by the Mining Organization (OMAPE). However, they also highlight opportunities to innovate in supplier engagement and supply chain and transport management that contribute to reducing the footprint across the entire supply system.
With regard to direct emissions (Scope 1), these represent the second-largest share. This indicates a high level of emissions from the use of fuels in processes such as machinery, power generation, and internal transport, among others. As an alternative to counteract these, the promotion of biofuels and the adoption of clean energy–based technologies have been identified, which could reduce total emissions by up to 50%.
There is a reduction potential of 20%–30%, starting from energy audits that reveal opportunities for improved efficiency, process optimization, predictive maintenance, and clean technologies such as solar panels and efficient engines.
Waste management through circular economy practices, composting, and the reduction of hazardous waste could contribute an additional 15%–30% reduction in emissions.
Environmental restoration through reforestation, soil conservation, and bioremediation could achieve a 25%–35% reduction while increasing ecosystem resilience.
Finally, wastewater management through artificial wetlands and wastewater treatment showed positive impacts that could reach up to a 60% reduction.
- These data[2] show that it is possible to reduce the carbon footprint in the ASM supply chain, provided that a comprehensive approach to ASM is adopted, understanding it as part of the broader machinery of global sourcing processes. Therefore, processes aimed at its decarbonization should focus on current incentives to facilitate the adoption of cultural and technological change among the different actors and processes within the supply chain.
From data to action: Making a mark with good practices in place
The ASMO for the Footprint Reduction Pilot has 43 employees and an underground operation focused on gold production. This organization was selected based on its commitment to progressive improvement and its potential to achieve FAIRMINED certification. Among the main challenges are logistical restrictions due to access to the site and complexities related to the latent social instability in the area.
Over the past six months, it has become a leading laboratory for research and the implementation of actions aimed at advancing the decarbonization of operations. Based on the results obtained, a set of practical actions tailored to the mine’s reality was defined, including:
Energy Audit and Efficiency
Through energy audits and the use of efficient motors, an energy-saving potential of 10% to 30% was identified, implying lower operating costs and reduced CO₂ emissions.
Gradual Replacement of Fossil Fuels with Renewable Energy
A gradual replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy has been proposed for the ASM operation. This will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing machinery and processes that rely on diesel or gasoline with clean sources such as solar energy. A technical design for a solar system was developed, which could cover up to 100% of the operation’s electricity consumption.
Circular Waste Management through Sorting, Reuse, and Treatment
Progress has been made in sorting, storing, and minimizing waste with potential environmental impacts. Additionally, the reuse of waste materials, such as sterile rock, is planned in mining infrastructure (roads, gabions, crushing, and walls), allowing for waste reduction, closed-loop practices, and improved operational sustainability.
Moreover, regarding the use of organic waste, containers were used for collection and subsequent transformation into organic fertilizer, applied in home gardens for self-consumption by members of the mining organization. These gardens provide inputs for soil fertilization that produce food, thereby avoiding the emission of 3,840 kgCO₂eq per year.
Reforestation and Bioremediation
The recovery of nutrients and microorganisms in degraded soils has been initiated using innovative technologies, such as recycled organic mats. The planting of 200 native species is projected, capable of capturing 2,000 kilograms of CO₂ per year. This contributes to the restoration of degraded areas, offsets carbon emissions, and improves soil quality in the territory.
The actions carried out during this pilot are ongoing. We are generating medium- and long-term data that will lead to conclusive measurements. So far, we have demonstrated the feasibility of reduction actions and the positive impact of the measures implemented within ASM operations. The lessons learned here are projected as a potential model that could be replicated in other mining units across Latin America.
Value and strategic implications
This research is a specific example demonstrating that Responsible ASM, despite its challenges, can be a key actor in addressing climate change. Integrating sustainable practices, improving environmental management, and strengthening local governance allows for:
Significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with this mining activity.
Improving relations with neighboring communities through participation in environmental improvement and education initiatives.
Contributing to national and international climate commitments, aligning with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Initiating ASM decarbonization processes, acknowledging that this is a progressive process requiring both training and capital investments.
Promoting a sustainable organizational culture at all levels, from senior management to mining workers.
Lessons learned and challenges to overcome
The path towards a low-carbon Responsible ASM requires, in addition to will, other strategic conditions such as:
Capital Investments: Financing is required for the acquisition of environmentally friendly technologies, processes, and tools, in addition to the knowledge needed for their operation. The recovery of these investments is achieved in the medium term.
Long-term Planning: The extended timeframes required for the adoption of different processes make it difficult to evaluate results. At times, this can affect motivation for technological and process changes.
Continuous Training: Ongoing technical assistance to ASM operations is essential to ensure alignment between operational activities and environmental protection.
Stable Social and Political Context: Involving local communities and stakeholders in these processes is crucial to guarantee safe access and continuity in implementing the proposed actions.
Ownership of a Sustainability Culture: Decarbonization processes are embedded within broader environmental sustainability frameworks. Making these connections visible and understandable facilitates ownership and leadership in sustainable development.
Finally, among the fundamental conditions for these processes, it is also necessary to have clear local and regional regulations, legal stability, and other measures that encourage practical implementation and financing.
Conclusion
ASM cannot and should not remain on the sidelines of global climate commitments. Our work at ARM demonstrates that there are viable and concrete pathways to advance low-carbon operations, even in vulnerable and complex contexts. Responsible ASM can become a strategic ally for market actors and governments in decarbonization processes. To achieve this, it is essential to strengthen incentives and foster collaboration among supply chain actors, governments, and academia. There is still ample room to scale these learnings and ensure a just, technological, and sustainable transition. At ARM, we count on active engagement to continue driving these innovation processes.
[1] ASMOs: Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Organizations.
[2] The percentages listed correspond to the estimated projection if conditions allow for the implementation of all improvement actions in each of the topics evaluated and do not correspond to the total emissions.
Read the report here