A rocky road ahead? Critical reflections on the futures of small-scale mining in sub-Saharan Africa

摘要: Abstract This paper introduces a special issue which explores the dynamics and various development trajectories of artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) – low-tech mineral processing extraction in sub-Saharan Africa. The papers this reflect critically on efforts made over past two decades to formalize sector, has fast become one most important economic activities many rural sections region, as well what lies ahead, given progress date with legalizing supporting operators. present not only summarizes each contribution but also frames debates formalization, industry impacts perceptions participants touches on, specific reference Host governments donors are now at crossroads: hand, faced reality that across ASM is an integral component economy, other having place rigid regulatory policy frameworks do necessarily reality.