The impact of artisan gold mining on community's livehoods: a case study of Maclder mines, Nyatike District, Kenya
Abstract
mining exhibits diverse characteristics and needs. Little information is available on the category. This research examined both the positive and negative socio-economic impacts of artisanal mining using the case of Macalder Mines of Nyatike District. The study sought to establish from the experiences of the artisanal miners and other community members of Macalder, the extent to which artisanal gold mining impact community's livelihoods as well as examining the extent to which artisanal gold mining income distribution affect community's livelihoods.
The study also sought to establish the local community's perception on how artisanal gold mining activities affect community's livelihoods. Primary data were collected through interviews with a sample of 121 artisanal miners guided by interview schedules and semi-structured interviews conducted with stakeholders on general perceptions on the types, trends of mining processes and other income portfolios, perceptions on environmental degradation, benefit flows, characteristics of mining and its governance. Consultation meetings and focus group discussions with local administrators, village elders and other local stakeholders were also conducted. Data analysis was done in three phases: data entry, checking and correcting; the calculation of descriptive statistics and finally performing the analysis of variance (ANOV A).
The study revealed that 70.2% of all artisan gold miners practice gold mining as the principal economic activity. Mining income is therefore used to support livelihoods by meeting most basic needs with purchase of food being the dominant use represented by 95.9%. More men, however, seemed to use gold sales for purchasing food at 97.4% than women at 94.3%. The study also found out that there are many social issues facing communities living in artisanal mining areas ranging from HIV prevalence, high rate of school drop out, rising child labour to food insecurity.
Other than these social problems, there are environment issues associated with artisanal gold mining. The implication of this research can be divided into implications for civil society organizations and government. Since mining potentiality in the area is steadily dwindling as reflected in the study outcome, it will be important for actors to put in place initiatives necessary for sustainable economic development hinging on other economic activities other than mining. It will also be necessary for the government to improve mineral extraction.
In order to do this, the government can promote capacity building programmes for miners so that they are introduced to more sustainable mining techniques, tools, valuation and price. Limitation and shortcoming of this study provided implications for future research. It will help if future studies adopted a more quantitative survey design in examining the relationship between artisanal gold mining and improved livelihoods. Future research should also incorporate investigation of the impact on livelihoods with households within the mining communities as the study unit.
Publisher
University of Nairobi, Kenya