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Changing priorities, shifting narratives: Remapping rural livelihoods in Africa's artisanal and small-scale mining sector

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Hilson, Gavin, Hu, Yanfei·2022·Journal of Rural Studies
DOI 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.03.010
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Abstract

This paper presents fresh ideas on why, in sub-Saharan Africa, people choose to engage in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) – low-tech, labour-intensive mineral extraction and processing – for lengthy periods. It nuances claims that ASM is largely ‘poverty-driven’ by weighing in more closely on the fates of individuals in the region who turn to the sector for income out of desperation. A closer inspection of the livelihood trajectories of these people reveals that many have managed to overcome challenging work conditions and position themselves to use ASM as a ‘platform for wealth creation’. An analysis of these experiences reveals a more comprehensive picture of ASM's complexities, as well as illuminates further the sector's economic importance in sub-Saharan Africa. A case study of the gold-rich locality of Prestea, one of Ghana's most strategic ASM corridors and where numerous people who initially pursued work in the sector have managed to accumulate income and open their own businesses and/or invest in the community, is used to reinforce these points. A more complete picture of ASM livelihood trajectories would go a long way towards fortifying the case for formalizing and supporting the sector, and, more generally, making it more of a focal point of rural poverty alleviation and development strategy in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Metadata

Authors
Hilson, G., & Hu, Y.
Affiliations
University of Surrey (GB)
Corresponding author
Hilson, Gavin
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Rural Studies
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-05
Volume
92
Pages
93-108
ISSN
0743-0167 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.03.010
OpenAlex
W4221070673
Cited by
104
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 14
FWCI
9.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
Journal of Rural Studies (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › Mining and Resource Management
  • Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › General Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Natural Resources and Economic Development
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › General Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agricultural Innovations and Practices
Keywords
artisanal and small-scale mining, rural livelihoods, livelihood trajectories, poverty reduction, wealth creation, sub-Saharan Africa, gold mining, Ghana, rural development, working conditions

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Hilson, G., & Hu, Y. (2022). Changing priorities, shifting narratives: Remapping rural livelihoods in Africa's artisanal and small-scale mining sector. Journal of Rural Studies. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.03.010