Action Dialogue on Artisanal Small-scale Mining

In collaboration with the International Institute of Environment and Development (IIED), FoNhosted a four-day multi-stakeholder, solutions-focused Dialogue on ASM in Tarkwa of the Western Region of Ghana. The Dialogue which comprised field trips and workshops saw over 55 participants –artisanal miners, local and national government representatives, large-scale mining company staff, and civil society organisations – come together to collaboratively develop a ‘roadmap’ for sectoral reform in Ghana’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.

Across the 4 days, stakeholders came together to learn from each other, forge new relationships, and collaboratively decide, what solutions are needed to tackle the priority ASM challenges and realise ASM’s potentials.

The Dialogue had two major outcomes:

• A draft roadmap to a more sustainable, equitable and attractive business sector, with clear rights and responsibilities. This roadmap has a practical focus on formalisation and covers geological prospecting and the identification of viable land for ASM; streamlining licensing procedures for ASM to obtain a license to mine; access to sustainable and formal sources of financing for ASM; and stronger voice for ASM miners, particularly women, in decision making and policy.
• A ‘Learning and Leadership Group for Sustainable ASM’, which will jointly and transparently convene and drive the proposed work of ASM sector reform in close collaboration with the main ASM sector institutions.