Recognizing and nurturing artisanal mining as a viable livelihood

摘要: Abstract Much of the discourse and literature on artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) in sub-Saharan Africa has inherently prescriptive recommendations how sector should develop. Devaluation, misrecognition, criminalization artisanal, largely illegal miners hamper their participation not only environmental political decision-making but also negotiating potential alternative livelihoods. This article addresses following three questions: (a) what are pull push factors Ghana's sector?; (b) concrete livelihood options exist for unregistered when regularization is impeded undermined?; (c) absence promising livelihoods, can ASM be re-imagined to allow poor men women flourish as recognized valued members society? The findings suggest that long currently have some expectation they will legitimately acquire even small parcels land gold extraction, very unlikely commit any fashionable, yet short-lived introduced by external agencies. What needs more success stories demonstrate operators want good stewards, citizens.