The environmental and socio-economic impacts of small-scale gold mining in Guyana

Abstract

For decades, Guyana has been the location of a vibrant artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector. The environmental and socio-economic aspects of its operations, however, have received sparingly little coverage in the literature; as has the recent rapid expansion of the country‟s gold and (to a lesser extent) diamond economy. The transformation of Guyanese small-scale mining from a insignificant nomadic activity into a central national industry of thousands has been linked to diminishing economic and livelihood opportunities within the country and to the booming global price of gold, both of which have drawn rising numbers of people into the mineral-rich „interior‟. Despite the relatively „sophisticated‟ equipment used and the sizeable capital investments made in Guyanese small-scale mines, as well as the existence of relevant policy and government institutions, issues within the industry are familiar to ASM regions elsewhere; widespread environmental degradation, poor and illegal practice of many kinds, and a lack of institutional capacity to enforce penned legislation. This paper provides an overview of the sector, including its central features, impacts, monitoring and regulation, the ways in which abatement of polluting practice such as mercury contamination has been approached, and likely developments in the future of the industry. The Guyana experience provides insight into a notably different context to those usually described within ASM research, and may be found to offer valuable guidance on the implementation of strategies elsewhere, such as in Ghana and sub-Saharan African nations.