An Overview of ASM in Asia Prof. Mihir Deb Director, School of Environmental Studies University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India mihirdeb@gmail.com

Outline Countries covered in this review ASM commodities Status of ASM in these countries Different issues Various initiatives Future directions for CASM-Asia

Asian countries covered in the overview

ASM Commodities

Countries Commodities Indonesia Papua New Guinea Cambodia Philippines Mongolia India Thailand Vietnam Malaysia Korea Gold, Coal, Tin, (Iron , Manganese, Bauxite) & minor minerals Gold (tailings & mine waste, alluvial dust, alluvial wash, gold veins/lodes) Gold Gold, Coal, Sand & Gravel, Limestone, Chromite, Clay Gold, Coal, Fluorspar, (Lignite), (Tin), Mercury Gold, Coal, Tin, gemstones, Sand & Gravel, Building stones Gold, Tin, Gemstones, Salt Coal, Iron, Tin, Building stones, Sand, Gravel etc Tin (alluvial) Gold, Iron, Titanium and other non metallic SSM

Status of ASM

Mostly illegal; New mining law still under consideration of the House of Representatives 300,000-500,000 workers in 77,000 mining sites Under Mining Act and Regulations; 157 approved SSM leases including 16 alluvial mining leases. 15,000 – 20,000 workers; Illegal mining also thriving Considerable economic impact with annual Au production of 60,000-70,000 ounces valued at $ 24-28 million/year Laws on management & mineral resources (2001) has provision of artisanal mining license of area not greater than one hectare and maximum depth of 5 meters. 80,000 workers involved in ASM Legal provisions available for SSM: “People’s SSM Act” including administration order of Hg control. 700 sites; 200,000 workers. All ASM illegal; Legislation on ASM still not passed by Parliament. ~ 100,000 ASM miners (in summer) mine 4-5 tons of gold, 85% of which is smuggled to China or Russia Indonesia Papua New Guinea Cambodia Phillipines Mongolia

Status (contd.) India Thailand Vietnam Laos S.Korea Malaysia Non-legal; no law or regulations exist in the National Mineral Policy for ASM: No environmental provisions for SSM; 1 million workers in 10,000 sites Regulated through Mineral & Industrial Law; also thrives illegally. 21,500 workers; 500-950 mining sites Legal ASM of all metals when exploration is not needed or compulsory; 35,000-45,000 workers; 500-600 mining sites No illegal ASM; 50,000 workers Legal SSM of metallic and some nonmetallic minerals Regulated through panning license, given to women only; 4,600 workers; 83 mining sites; No use of chemicals Myanmar: 14,000 workers, 50 to120 sites; Pakistan: 90,000 to 3,70,000 workers; 2400 to 3250 sites Nepal: 500 workers;45 sites

Issues

Environmental Degradation Indonesia Land degradation in Kalimantan; Land instability, destruction of riverbank and living environment Environmental damage due to water contamination, polluted river water, tailing debris flowback into river 1989 : Extensive primary forest cover 1999 : Extensive forest removal and vast area of mined sands Phillipines Soil erosion, siltation, destruction of topography, forest denudation, damage to agricultural land 1999 : Sand from Mining (cyan) 78 km sq 2004: Sand from Mining (cyan) 102 km sq

Pollution and health Mongolia Indonesia Papua New Guinea Phillipines Miners not aware of Hg and cyanide hazard. Processing is done by amalgamation and cyanidation; Pollution of soil, air & water. Appearance of Minamata disease at places Health problem due to Hg & Cyanide: 150 Kg Hg dumped in Chikinaki River each day in 1997-98; in central Kalimantan ~50 tons of Hg is entering into water bodies each year Suspended sediment load in river systems; water discolouration; Hg usage Hg pollution of surface and ground water, air, soil/land and also in food web. Poor living conditions also affecting health Use of cyanide in gold processing affecting both ground and surface waters Mongolia Indonesia Papua New Guinea Phillipines Cambodia

Social Issues Indonesia Papua New Guinea India Cambodia Social unrest due to gambling, drinking, prostitution; ASM breeds anarchy; conflict with large mining companies; violence Low literacy; high infant mortality; STD/HIV/AIDS; drug & alcohol abuse. Alluvial mining of Au and Sn by indigenous groups; lack of sociological data; Many areas affected by Naxalite movement. Anarchy, mafia and smuggling of coal across the border of Nepal and Bangladesh. Indigenous people need to be protected from the negative impact of ASM and supplied with uncontaminated water, air and soil. Indonesia Papua New Guinea India Cambodia

Others Phillipines Indonesia Cambodia Papua New Guinea India Mine accidents common in most countries Hazards due to unsafe mining practices; unstable pit slope; landslides; unsafe working areas. Low recovery (~60%); waste of mineral resources going into tailings. Lack of effective communication with miners; conflict between indigenous people & local miners or local miners and mining companies. Lack of financial resources for appropriate equipments etc.; No reclamation of mine land; Hardly any government support for miners; Accidents and deaths not uncommon. Phillipines Indonesia Cambodia Papua New Guinea Habitat loss of endangered species like ghariyals (Gavialis gangeticus) & turtles by uncontrolled sand mining in Chambal river bank, Central India India

Initiatives (some examples)

Indonesia Papua New Guinea Government initiative through ‘people’s mining area’ or through small scale assistance: Local village cooperatives (KUDs) with permits Mercury hazard awareness program Global mercury project of UNIDO in central Kalimantan and Sulawasi Papua New Guinea Mercury awareness amongst mining community Improved mining techniques and increased gold production. Establishment of Wau Micro Bank (ADB) to assist miners with mini loans and banking facilities Conference (WIM) to address gender issues in mining communities External donor assistance through AusAid, World Bank, JSDF, SYSMIN

India Clear-cut definition and distinction between artisanal and small scale mining Locate the responsible body within the administration to deal with ASM, e.g., Village level ‘Panchayats’. Review the existing legal framework for mining in the country, with special attention to ASM, making it a sustainable, poverty-alleviating, environment-friendly enterprise. Develop a database of ASM sites in the country

Future directions for CASM-Asia Legal provisions for ASM in all countries as a sustainable long-term economic activity; Policy for mining rights of cultural minorities within their lands. Capacity building of small scale miners through improved mining technology, micro-financing and business development: to help in poverty alleviation Base line study of health issues particularly with respect to mercury and cyanide toxicity. Reclamation and remediation of degraded lands and ecosystems Involvement of government agencies, NGOs in and external donor assistance to ASM sector, for better living standards for miners and for protection of the environment. Development of a comprehensive ASM database

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