MINING stakeholders, including academicians have called on Large Scale Mining (LSM) companies to rethink their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) by engaging Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) operators, with the view to equipping sub sector.
They made the call recently, during the journalists’ knowledge sharing seminar, which was organised by the Foundation of ASM Development (FADev) in Mwanza.
It was argued that the strategy will not only produce lasting benefits to the ASM subsector, but also help LSM companies fulfill their local content requirements in a more sustainable manner.
Presenting a paper on the overview of ASM, the Senior Lecturer of Economics at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Dr Abel Kinyondo, advised that Tanzania should take advantage of the presence of LSM in the country, by leveraging ASM-LSM integration that can possibly allow for smooth transfer of knowledge, skills, attitudes and relevant technologies.
He added: “In our country, small miners are suffering especially from lack of skills and poor mining technologies. They have to be supported within the sector particularly by their superior counterparts, that are LSM companies.
“Once the advice is accepted and put into operation, then Tanzania could expect a good number of larger local investors in the mining sector, in a foreseeable future as some of ASM operators will surely graduate to mid-size and eventually large scale level.”
Moreover, Dr Kinyondo called for a change of culture of demonising ASM as an unsafe, tax-avoiding and environmentally unfriendly sub-sector. Instead, the subsector must be support to reach its maximum potential as it creates millions of pro-poor jobs.
He further advised that the ASM operators must work to get rid of the negativity that is associated with the subsector by being more professional.
Apart from acquiring Primary Mining Licences (PML), the operators should work to ensure that they protect the environment, maintain health and safety of their workplaces, as well as keeping their records properly and adhering to labour laws, which among others, prohibit child labour.
“Again, the government should act beyond usual rhetoric by supporting the ASM subsector by giving it relevant geological data, access to credit and more technologies as well as subsidies whenever possible. Indeed, if Tanzanians working in the agricultural sector enjoy subsidies over the years, why not those in the ASM subsector?” he questioned.
Executive Secretary of FADev, Engineer Theonestina Mwasha reaffirmed the organization’s commitment towards supporting ASMs.
She told the seminar participants that FADev has secured a deal in which it will be guaranteeing loans for ASM from the Banks.
“FADev continues to give loans in the form of mining equipments to ASM operators. In addition, the organization runs a number of demonstration sites to inspire ASM to pursue modern and safe mining techniques,” she said.
The Officer from the Vice President’s Office, Mr Joseph Kiwango, commented that the government is commitment towards reducing and eliminating the use of mercury among ASM operators.
He said that a mega 5-year project is underway, bound to improve legal and policy framework, improve working conditions as well as building requisite capacities to improve productivity in the mining sector.
