Over recent weeks, we have been immersed in a fascinating project: crafting an abridged version of the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) protocols, originally developed by the Mining Association of Canada, for Tanzania’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) sector. This 24-page simplified guide, accompanied by a Training of Trainers (TOT) manual and a comparative analysis of TSM’s applicability in Tanzania, aims to bridge a critical gap in the ASM landscape. The sector, long plagued by inconsistent guidelines and shifting expectations, desperately needs accessible tools to enhance operational standards. Tanzania’s robust legal and regulatory frameworks, underpinned by the African Mining Vision (AMV), provide a solid foundation, yet their practical implementation often falls short. The TSM protocols, already operational in South Africa, offer a promising framework to address these shortcomings, making their adaptation timely and momentous.
The process of distilling complex protocols into a concise, user-friendly format was both challenging and rewarding. It required balancing technical precision with clear, actionable language to ensure relevance for ASM operators. The real test, however, came during introductory training sessions in Segese, where 30 participants – men, women, and youth involved in ASM – engaged with the protocols. These sessions revealed not only the potential of TSM but also the sector’s darker realities, particularly around child and forced labour.
The atmosphere in the training room shifted palpably during the presentation of the Child and Forced Labour Protocol. Despite official narratives from government and non-state actors downplaying its prevalence, the issue of child labour in Tanzania’s ASM sector is undeniable. Discussions painted a grim picture: children aged 10 to 17 are routinely employed in hazardous tasks, often in environments with compromised occupational health and safety (OHS) standards. In Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM), the situation is particularly dire. Young boys, in particular, handle mercury without protective gear, exposing themselves to severe health risks for minimal pay. These children, exploited by the very communities meant to protect them, face endangerment daily.
The training sessions sparked heated debates about the root causes of child labour. Many participants pointed to socio-economic factors: children from broken homes or families where fathers have abandoned their responsibilities often turn to ASM work out of necessity. In some cases, children are drawn into mining as part of debt repayment schemes, labouring to help their parents settle loans from brokers – a practice disturbingly reminiscent of colonial-era bondage. The discussions descended into a blame game, with men attributing the issue to women for “having children with unknown partners,” while women countered by decrying men’s irresponsibility. A smaller, more reflective group acknowledged shared culpability, noting that many children are born to parents who met within the ASM work environment.
This group proposed practical solutions, urging government authorities to take decisive action and calling on mining communities to contribute to eradicating child and forced labour. Notably, child labour was reported primarily in washing (sluicing) areas and gold-mercury amalgam processes, with no mentions of children working in the more dangerous pit environments. This distinction, while significant, does little to diminish the urgency of addressing the issue.
Reflecting on the broader context, the stalled domestication of the AMV across Africa raises questions about priorities and incentives. Market dynamics often overshadow the push for sustainable practices, yet the TSM protocols’ adaptability to the ASM context offers a glimmer of hope. Their focus on practical, community-level improvements aligns with Tanzania’s needs, provided stakeholders commit to implementation.
The adaptation of the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) protocols for Tanzania’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) sector represents a transformative opportunity to enhance operational standards and address systemic challenges. The simplified 24-page guide, and the Training of Trainers manual offer practical tools to align the sector with Tanzania’s legal frameworks and the African Mining Vision. However, the training sessions in Segese laid bare a persistent issue: child and forced labour. The stark reality of children aged 10 to 17 enduring hazardous tasks, particularly in gold-mercury amalgam processes, underscores the urgency of reform. Socio-economic drivers – broken families, absent fathers, and debt repayment schemes – perpetuate this exploitation, often dismissed by official narratives.
Addressing this crisis requires a multi-faceted approach. Government authorities must enforce stricter regulations and monitor compliance, while mining communities should foster local initiatives to protect vulnerable children. The TSM protocols, with their focus on community engagement and clear standards, provide a roadmap for sustainable practices, but their success hinges on stakeholder commitment. Collaboration between miners, policymakers, and civil society is essential to dismantle exploitative practices and replace them with ethical alternatives. By prioritising education, economic support for families, and safer work environments, Tanzania’s ASM sector can shift from a site of exploitation to a model of sustainability. The TSM framework offers hope, but only collective action will ensure that children are safeguarded and the sector thrives responsibly.
