Artisanal gold mining: A hidden sector with big challenges and opportunities

#gold prices are soaring, which means that artisanal gold mining is growing. There are 20 million people working in #ASGM across 80+ countries. The attached article points out that formalization of ASGM is not enough. Pathways grounded in the realities of the sector that result in #sustainabledevelopment are necessary. This includes: 🏹 distinguishing artisanal and illegal mining - ASGM is inherently local and traditional, recognition of the sector opens the door for above-board development 🏹 public policies that encourage professionalization, capacity development and local beneficiation - improving the lives of miners while catalyzing development 🏹 public policies that deliver LSM/#ASM collaboration and LSM support of ASM professionalization - not as charity or as a tax of some sort, but as a mechanism for mutual value and de-risking 🏹 professionalization solutions that reflect voices of miners and of neighboring communities - solutions cannot be imposed from afar, they need to make local sense, they need to involve locals and ultimately they need to be led by locals Along with these, access to at-scale capital is essential for scaled professionalization. Public policies can encourage inflows of capital while also supporting #blendedfinance. More broadly, clarity and transparency on the nature of ASM are essential for delivering clear value propositions for investors - clearly defined asset classes classes and validation routines are essential. Delivering first mile value through development pathways that makes sense involves the integration of legal frameworks, policies, practices around engagement and financial marketplaces in other words. With 20 million miners, 100 million people fully supported when including the families of miners, combining dignity, value and development through well integrated approaches opens the door for tremendous value as today's smuggling and negative impacts are replaced with stable predictable equitable practices that contribute genuine value for investors, for miners and for formal economies. Let's talk. #responsiblemining #mininginvestment #impactinvestment https://lnkd.in/gc5-rvPE

As Rio Tinto's Diavik mine winds down, and Anglo American prepares to sell De Beers, major miners are getting out of the diamond business, perhaps forever. The reason is simple. Cheap synthetic stones are flooding the market, pushing the industry into a slump from which many analysts think it will never recover. But while diversified companies can walk away, some African countries don't have that choice. Botswana, in particular, has built one of the strongest economies on the continent in part from the revenues of its diamond mines. So as western investors walk away from diamonds, African governments are stepping in. https://lnkd.in/e6wzD95J

Diamond Mining Market Size to reach USD 85.63 Billion by 2032 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐃𝐅: https://lnkd.in/dpitzR4G The diamond mining market is a critical segment of the global economy, characterized by its multifaceted dynamics and substantial economic impact. Responsible for supplying gemstones essential in luxury industries and industrial applications, the market heavily relies on geographical factors, technology advancements, and regulatory frameworks. Major contributors like Russia, Botswana, Canada, and Australia drive production with state-of-the-art mining practices designed to optimize extraction efficiency while adhering to environmental standards. Recently, there has been a shift towards sustainable mining due to increased scrutiny over ecological concerns and ethical considerations surrounding labor practices. Market trends indicate a rising demand for synthetic diamonds as they offer cost-effective alternatives with minimal environmental footprints. Additionally, technological innovation plays an influential role in increasing operational efficiencies within mines through automated machinery and sophisticated geological assessment tools. Consequently, stakeholders remain vigilant about balancing profitability against sustainability initiatives in this ever-evolving landscape. Top Market Players are: De Beers Group Alrosa Company Limited Rio Tinto Petra Diamonds Lucara Diamond Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Debswana Diamond Company Anglo American Gem Diamonds Limited Dominion Energy Rockwell Diamonds Stornoway Diamonds Firestone Diamond Private Limited, Trans Hex Group Namdeb Diamond Corporation Lucapa Diamond Company Ltd JDS Group of Companies PT Bayan Resources Tbk Zimtu Capital Corp. North Arrow Minerals #DiamondMining #MiningIndustry #NaturalDiamonds #PreciousStones #GemstoneMining #SustainableMining #MiningTechnology #DiamondExploration #MiningEquipment #GlobalMining #LuxuryMarket #ResourceExtraction #IndustrialMining #DiamondProduction #MiningEconomy

LaFleur Minerals is strategically positioning itself to leverage the current surge in gold prices through its promising Swanson Gold Project in Quebec. The company's flagship property spans over 18,300 hectares in the renowned Abitibi Gold Belt, presenting significant near-term production opportunities. With a current mineral resource estimate of 123.4 Koz Au Indicated and 64.5 Koz Au Inferred, the project demonstrates substantial potential for expansion. The company's strategic location near prolific gold operations provides a competitive advantage in accessing established infrastructure and processing facilities. The Swanson Gold Project benefits from multiple gold-bearing regional structures and proximity to the Beacon Gold Mill, enabling LaFleur to potentially fast-track production. Their fully-permitted mill, capable of processing over 750 tonnes per day, further enhances the project's development potential. As global gold prices continue to reach record levels, LaFleur Minerals is well-positioned to deliver long-term value to investors by advancing its district-scale gold project in a proven mining region. #GoldMining #MineralExploration #InvestmentOpportunity

Explorer Highlights Production Growth From Gold and Silver Royalties in Yukon https://ow.ly/9Vkj50X9pHg Metallic Minerals Corp. ($MMG.V; $MMNGF:OTCQB) gives an update on field activities across its gold and silver royalty portfolio in the Yukon, along with ongoing exploration efforts at its Keno Silver Project in central Yukon. Metallic Minerals Corp

Due diligence in artisanal gold supply chains often stalls at the start. In most cases, cooperatives lack the tools to meet international standards and traders, who finance and aggregate gold, are left out of the process. Through the Scaling Up project, funded by the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM), we tested new ways to change this in Côte d’Ivoire. Together with partners, we introduced two digital tools: Bloom by IMPACT and Extension Solution by Solidaridad. These tools supported cooperatives and traders to implement due diligence through the CRAFT Code. Users also received incentives and access to valuable data. IMPACT and Solidaridad Network recently hosted the webinar Driving Due Diligence in Côte d’Ivoire’s Artisanal Gold Mining Sector: A Case Study on Enabling Cooperatives and Traders to Implement Responsible Sourcing Requirements. In case you missed it, here are three takeaways: 👉🏾79% of participants saw benefits in adopting the model to strengthen due diligence. 👉🏾The approach gained traction for its focus on traders, digital tools, and incentive structures. 👉🏾Next steps include testing solutions with downstream actors and working with the Côte d’Ivoire government to improve incentives for formalisation. 📹 Watch the recording: https://bit.ly/46yeXSv

Gold Mining in Central and East Africa Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): The DRC is one of Africa’s most mineral-rich nations, producing significant volumes of gold—largely from Ituri, Haut-Uélé, Maniema, North and South Kivu. Annual production exceeds 30 tonnes, though much comes from artisanal and small-scale miners. New exploration projects are expanding across the northeast, supported by international investors seeking to formalize and modernize production. Uganda: Uganda’s gold sector has grown rapidly, producing around 3–4 tonnes annually. Key mining zones include Mubende, Karamoja, Busia, and Buhweju. The country is strengthening regulations to improve transparency and attract responsible refiners and traders, making it a rising hub for East African gold flows. Central African Republic (CAR): Gold mining in CAR remains primarily artisanal, concentrated around Berbérati, Upper Kotto, and Sangha. Though official output ranges from 2 to 5 tonnes per year, ongoing initiatives aim to formalize small-scale miners and improve traceability to curb smuggling and enhance lawful exports. Tanzania: Tanzania ranks among Africa’s top four gold producers, yielding about 45–50 tonnes annually. Major gold belts include Geita, Shinyanga, Mwanza, and Kahama, home to both large industrial operations (like Geita Gold Mine) and hundreds of artisanal sites. Ongoing exploration continues to expand reserves across Lake Victoria’s greenstone belt. How Base Aurum Can Help Base Aurum bridges the gap between African gold producers and the international market. By partnering with licensed artisanal and industrial miners in Tanzania, Uganda, DRC, and CAR, we ensure ethical, traceable, and fully compliant gold sourcing. Our vertically integrated operations manage every stage—from procurement and refining to logistics and export certification—guaranteeing purity, transparency, and regulatory adherence. Through advanced refining facilities and strategic regional partnerships, Base Aurum enables investors, jewelers, and bullion traders to secure responsibly sourced African gold with confidence and efficiency. #BaseAurum #GoldTrading #Refining #Mining #EthicalSourcing #GoldLeaching #AfricaGold #GlobalTrade #PreciousMetals #IntegrityInTrade #goldsourcing #goldmining #goldmarket #africangold #dubaigold #uaegold #russiangold #europegold

LaFleur Minerals Inc. has taken a significant strategic step by securing a listing on the Tradegate Exchange in Berlin, Germany. This move represents a critical milestone in the company's global expansion strategy, providing enhanced visibility and access to European capital markets. The listing complements LaFleur's primary Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) registration and offers increased liquidity for international investors. Importantly, the Tradegate Exchange placement does not involve issuing new shares or diluting existing stockholder positions. LaFleur Minerals is strategically positioned in Quebec's Abitibi Gold Belt, focusing on developing district-scale gold projects. The company's Swanson Gold Project spans approximately 18,304 hectares and includes multiple gold and critical metal prospects previously held by established mining entities. A key asset in LaFleur's portfolio is the fully-permitted Beacon Gold Mill, capable of processing over 750 tonnes of material daily. The mill presents significant processing potential for the Swanson Project and potential custom milling opportunities for nearby gold projects. By expanding its market presence, LaFleur demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to resource development and investor engagement in the competitive gold exploration sector.

This article asks whether we can have a #justtransition without artisanal miners. The answer is no, we can't. A broader question - can have a transition at all without artisanal miners. There is a large looming #criticalminerals supply gap: 🏹 professionalizing #ASM contributes tonnage directly as productivity of surface level artisanal mining done in largely manual ways without good practice transitions toward good practices and targeted automation - this is both strategic and bankable 🏹 LSM/ASM collaboration de-risks large mining operations, increasing their productivity and supply security - there is a litany of history in places ranging from Peru to the DRC where co-mingled land use results in conflict unless explicit collaborative relationships are fostered 🏹 an estimated $2.4T in net new investment is needed for bridging critical minerals supply gaps, and investment isn't increasing - professionalizing ASM is low-hanging fruit, delivering financial, social, environmental and economic gains in 18-24 months in low cost ways. The comparison is clear - it may take 20 years and $10B+ to stand up a large copper mine, compared to 18-24 months and $500K to professionalize a group of 1,000 artisanal copper miners The strategic, tactical and financial fit of ASM as a key element of #mining is clear, making focus on professionalization a necessity for delivering the minerals that we need. Justly. Let's talk. #responsiblemining #mininginvestment #impactinvestment https://lnkd.in/g-UTyRVt