Small-scale mining and sustainable development within the SADC region.

More than a million small-scale miners are estimated to work in the six southern African countries for which detailed studies are presented: Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Estimated numbers vary from only 10 000 in South Africa and 30 000 in Zambia to 350 000 in Zimbabwe and 550 000 in Tanzania. The percentage of women involved ranges from 5% in South Africa and 10% in Malawi to more than 50% in Zimbabwe. Children, for whom there are no reliable figures, are involved in water transport, panning and processing. Levels of legality depend on the scale and character of operations and the accessibility of the area for mining authorities. More than 30 different minerals are mined but the sector is dominated by those that are easily marketable, such as gold and gemstones. In Zimbabwe, for example, gold accounts for more than 90% of small-scale mining activity. Lime and building materials are important in Malawi and tantalite in Zimbabwe. Support programmes and successful projects have included Shamva Mining Centre in Zimbabwe, Chenkumbi Limeworks Project in Malawi, two Zambian amethyst mines and Ndola gemstone mine in Zambia.
More than a million small-scale miners are estimated to work in the six southern African countries for which detailed studies are presented: Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Estimated numbers vary from only 10 000 in South Africa and 30 000 in Zambia to 350 000 in Zimbabwe and 550 000 in Tanzania. The percentage of women involved ranges from 5% in South Africa and 10% in Malawi to more than 50% in Zimbabwe. Children, for whom there are no reliable figures, are involved in water transport, panning and processing. Levels of legality depend on the scale and character of operations and the accessibility of the area for mining authorities. More than 30 different minerals are mined but the sector is dominated by those that are easily marketable, such as gold and gemstones. In Zimbabwe, for example, gold accounts for more than 90% of small-scale mining activity. Lime and building materials are important in Malawi and tantalite in Zimbabwe. Support programmes and successful projects have included Shamva Mining Centre in Zimbabwe, Chenkumbi Limeworks Project in Malawi, two Zambian amethyst mines and Ndola gemstone mine in Zambia.