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©ARM
Septiember 7, 2016
The project Somos Tesoro has been supporting the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in the municipalities Sogamoso, Gameza, Mongua and Tópaga in the department of Boyacá, Colombia, since 2013 as a strategy to eliminate child labor in mining areas. Within this strategy Somos Tesoro is carrying out various activities to accompany and support small-scale miners to implement the Colombian regulations on mining security and hygiene.
In August, two excursions were realized in the department of Boyacá to exchange experiences. During these meetings, miners visited two small-scale mining enterprises which were successful in progressing towards formalization through good practices and management.
These two enterprises are not part of the project, however they are situated in the municipalities of Tópaga and Sogamoso as well. Hence, one of the key aspects of this experience was to become acquainted with two nearby and recognized cases of artisanal and small-scale mining organizations that made significant progress towards formalization. The miners had the opportunity to get to know simple changes and practical solutions in administrative, technical and security aspects, among others.
In total 64 people attended the two trips and they were well received by the participants. The miners acknowledged the good practices that were implemented in the two mining organizations and were grateful for the knowledge exchange which was made possible through the project.
The project Somos Tesoro:
Somos Tesoro is a project aiming at the reduction of child labor in Colombian mining areas, implemented by a consortium constituted of Pact, Fondo Acción, Fundación Mi Sangre and the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) and financed by the United States’ Department of Labor.
To find out more about Somos Tesoro visit: http://www.somostesoro.org/
To find out more about the work of the Alliance for Responsible Mining visit: https://www.responsiblemines.org/