Strategy for sustainable economic growth of small scale mining operations in South Africa

For a number of years Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) was seen as a means of survival and in some cases a way of enrichment for many in South Africa especially in rural areas where job opportunities are scarce. The sector has faced a number of challenges. The first challenge has been in terms of the definition and the distinction between what is considered an artisanal operation as opposed to a small scale mining operation. The other critical challenge has been in terms of a lack of a strategy for ensuring sustainability of these operations within the sector. While artisanal mining is often associated to illegal activities, small scale operations in general comply with national legislative requirements. The methodology used to develop a scientific definition for small scale mining was to firstly identify from literature the main criteria that differentiate artisanal from small scale mining operations. The Pairwise Comparison was then used as the decision making tool of choice. A survey was developed and submitted to experts and specialists in the field to determine the importance and the weights of the selected criteria. A strategy for sustainability and economic growth was developed by using a case study approach which involved visiting selected legal small scale mining and processing operations. A questionnaire was developed to gather information using a structured interview process. The data gathered was then compared with literature to identify focus areas. The four areas found were Management, Skills, Chemical Analysis and Technology. An Integrated Management Model for improving productivity and ensuring the sustainability of Small Scale Mining Operations in South Africa was successfully developed.