Mapping artisanal and small-scale mining in northwest Tanzania A survey on its nature, scope and impact International Peace Information Service vzw EDITORIAL Mapping artisanal and small-scale mining in northwest Tanzania: A survey on its nature, scope and impact Antwerp/Mwanza, January 2019 Front cover image: Mine site in Serengeti district, Mara region (2017 – Photo: IPIS) Author: Hans Merket Tanzania survey and project coordination: Elard Mawala Map, database and graphs: Manuel Claeys Bouuaert, Emily Doerner & Stef Verheijen Editing: Ken Matthysen The International Peace Information Service (IPIS) is an independent research institute providing tai- lored information, analysis and capacity enhancement to support those actors who want to realize a vision of durable peace, sustainable development and the fulfilment of human rights. This report, the open database, and accompanying interactive web map (http://ipisresearch.be/mapping/ webmapping/tza/v1) are part of the project ‘Mapping the socio-economic and human rights impact of small and large-scale mining in northwest Tanzania’. This project is funded by the Belgian development cooperation as part of a program on Human Rights and Digitalisation. D/2019/4320/03 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Editorial ................................................................................................................................................. 2 List of graphs ........................................................................................................................................ 5 Executive summary .............................................................................................................................. 6 List of acronyms ................................................................................................................................... 8 1. Background to the report and web map ....................................................................................... 9 1.1. Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................................9 1.2. Data collection methodology ...........................................................................................................................10 1.3. Guide to web map .................................................................................................................................................12 1.4. Project background ...............................................................................................................................................13 2. Evolving policy and legal framework .......................................................................................... 14 2.1. ASM in an evolving legal framework ..............................................................................................................14 2.2. Professionalisation and formalisation efforts ...............................................................................................15 2.3. Recent legal and institutional reforms ...........................................................................................................17 3. Modus operandi of ASM in northwest Tanzania ......................................................................... 19 3.1. Bird’s-eye view on ASM in northwest Tanzania ...........................................................................................19 3.1.1. Units of analysis: mining, processing and combined sites ..................................................................................................19 3.1.2. Main characteristics of ASM sites in Geita, Shinyanga, Mara and Kigoma ....................................................................20 3.1.3. Scope of ASM: worker numbers and mobility ........................................................................................................................24 3.2. Organisation of small-scale mining and processing sites ....................................................................... 27 3.2.1. Site organisation models .............................................................................................................................................................27 3.2.2. Cooperatives and regional associations..................................................................................................................................29 3.3. Production process ............................................................................................................................................... 30 3.3.1. Gold mining and processing .......................................................................................................................................................30 3.3.2. Alluvial diamond mining .............................................................................................................................................................32 3.3.3. Limestone mining and processing ............................................................................................................................................33 3.3.4. Salt mining ......................................................................................................................................................................................35 3.3.5. Level of mechanisation ................................................................................................................................................................36 3.4. Trade patterns ........................................................................................................................................................ 37 4. Socio-economic and human rights impact ................................................................................. 40 4.1. Distribution of wealth ......................................................................................................................................... 40 4.1.1. Informal production sharing agreements in mining ............................................................................................................40 4.1.2. Ad hoc payments in processing .................................................................................................................................................42 4.1.3. Wealth spill-overs to local economies ......................................................................................................................................43 4.2. Women’s role and position ................................................................................................................................ 45 4.3. Children in mining and processing ................................................................................................................ 47 4.4. Environment, health and safety ....................................................................................................................... 49 4.4.1. Health and hygiene .......................................................................................................................................................................50 4.4.2. Safety ................................................................................................................................................................................................50 4.4.3. Mercury use and impact ..............................................................................................................................................................54 4.4.3.1. Policies and regulations ................................................................................................................................................54 3 4.4.3.2. Mercury use in northwest Tanzania .........................................................................................................................54 4.4.3.3. Worst practices ................................................................................................................................................................. 57 4.4.4. Other environmental concerns ..................................................................................................................................................58 4.5. Worker and community relations .................................................................................................................... 59 5. State oversight ............................................................................................................................... 61 5.1. Functions of visits by state institutions ..........................................................................................................61 5.1.1. Inspections ......................................................................................................................................................................................61 5.1.2. Revenue collection ........................................................................................................................................................................62 5.1.3. Training and assistance ...............................................................................................................................................................63 5.1.4. Other secondary functions ..........................................................................................................................................................64