Water-Related Safety, Health and Sanitation of Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners and the Affected ...

86 Pages·2015·2.65 MB·English

by  Prudence Fleming

Water-Related Safety, Health
and Sanitation of Artisanal and

Small-Scale Miners and the
Affected Communities
Researchers: Danellie Lynas*, Sarah Goater**,
Mark Griffin***, Alycia Moore**,
Gernelyn Logrosa*, Evelyn Kamanga**,
Melissa Pearce***
School/Centre: *Minerals Industry Safety and Health
Centre
**International Water Centre
***Accelerated Learning Laboratory
University/Institutions: *Sustainable Minerals Institute,
The University of Queensland
**The University of Western Australia
Key themes: Governance and regulation
Community and environmental sustainability
Operational effectiveness
Key countries: Ghana
The Philippines
Completion: August 2014
Research aims:
This research sought to bring together multiple research partners
working in water-related health, safety and sanitation of artisanal miners
with a view to facilitating future collaboration and development of
IM4DC course content, through:
• two case studies
• two workshops
• a global market analysis of the need and costs of
establishing a short course in this area
For further information on this action research:
Contact person: Danellie Lynas
[email protected]
Summary of Action Research Activity

Water-related safety, health and sanitation of artisanal and small-scale miners and the affected
communities
The objective of this project was to establish a collegiate working dialogue between multiple research
partners working in the field of health, safety and sanitation for artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM),
using water as a focal point for collaboration. The project comprised two concurrent phases: two action
research projects, undertaken for defined case study locations to support post-graduate student work;
and a global market analysis, to determine demand, supply and financial constraints for establishing an
IM4DC short course on water-related health, safety and sanitation issues at case study and/or global
scales.
Key project findings included:
• Two collaboratively run workshops, held in Brisbane and Perth, identified the potential for future
collaboration to develop custom designed courses for IM4DC, targeting key stakeholders of ASM
and associated communities. However, it was universally acknowledged that the real costs
associated with design, content development and grass roots capacity building are expensive and it
will likely require considerable external funding to see this potential realised.
• Two case studies, one in the Benguet region of the Philippines and the other in the Tarkwa region of
Ghana, formed the basis of ongoing post-graduate student work. Based on the case study findings,
water related health, safety and sanitation issues are driven by poor governance, the perceptions of
the ASM sector by government and donor groups, as well as increasing poverty levels. The asset-
based approach to interviews helped identify where existing capacity within artisanal mining
communities might be strengthened through IM4DC adult education and leadership development
initiatives.
• A desktop global market analysis indicated a lack of publicly accessible information on adult
learning initiatives relating to ASM and, more specifically, water-related health, safety and
sanitation. However, growing interest in this space suggests opportunities for cross-institutional
education and professional development programs.
Recommendations from the project are made in the Report’s Executive Summary and further details on
the Ghana case study are in Ms Evelyn Kamanga’s Master’s project report (Kamanga E, 2014), available
from the authors or IM4DC.
International Mining for Development Centre Action Research Report 2
Water-Related Safety, Health and
Sanitation of Artisanal and Small-Scale
Miners and the Affected Communities

Researchers:
Danellie Lynas (MISHC) Alycia Moore (IWC)
Dr. Sarah Goater (IWC) Gernelyn Logrosa (MISHC)
W/Prof. Mark Griffin (UWA) Evelyn Kamanga (IWC)
Melissa Pearce (UWA)

Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre (MISHC)
Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland
International Water Centre (IWC)
Accelerated Learning Laboratory,
The University of Western Australia (UWA)

August 2014

For further information on this research:
Contact person: Danellie Lynas
[email protected]
www.im4dc.org
The International Mining for Development Centre was established to
promote the more sustainable use of minerals and energy resources
in developing nations by assisting governments and civil society
organisations though education and training, fellowships, research
and advice. Our focus is three core themes—governance and
regulation, community and environmental sustainability, and
operational effectiveness.
© 2014
This work is copyright to the International Mining for Development Centre (IM4DC), a joint
venture between The University of Western Australia (UWA) and The University of Queensland
(UQ), and is funded by the Australian Government through an Australian Aid initiative. It may
be reproduced in whole or in part subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the
source and no commercial usage or sale. Reproduction for purposes other than those indicated
above require written permission from the IM4DC Director, WA Trustees Building, Level 2,
133 St Georges Terrace, Perth, Western Australia 6000.
This report does not necessarily represent the views or the policy of Australian Aid or the
Commonwealth of Australia.
Contents
1 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................... iii
2 Executive Summary ..................................................................................................... v
3 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1
3.1 Project Overview ................................................................................................. 1
3.2 Action Research Case Studies ............................................................................. 2
3.2.1 Project Rationale ......................................................................................... 2
3.2.2 Literature Critique ....................................................................................... 3
3.2.3 Case Study Selection ................................................................................... 3
3.2.4 The Poverty Trap and Sustainable Mining Objectives ................................ 3
3.2.5 A Sustainable Livelihoods Framework ........................................................ 5
3.2.6 Adopting an Action Research Approach ..................................................... 6
3.2.7 Outputs........................................................................................................ 7
4 Ghana: Tarkwa Case Study .......................................................................................... 9
4.1 Desktop Findings ................................................................................................. 9
4.1.1 Situation Analysis ........................................................................................ 9
4.2 Summary of Interview findings ......................................................................... 11
4.2.1 Key Institutional Stakeholders .................................................................. 11
4.2.2 Water Supply, Access, Use and Exposure ................................................. 11
4.2.3 Water-related Safety Issues ...................................................................... 12
4.2.4 Water-related Health and Sanitation ........................................................ 14
4.2.5 The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework ................................................... 16
4.2.6 Community Concerns & Priorities ............................................................. 17
4.2.7 Key Priorities for Investment and Modes of Implementations ................. 18
4.3 Recommendations ............................................................................................ 18
4.3.1 Capacity Building for ASM Stakeholders ................................................... 18
4.3.2 Community Empowerment ....................................................................... 19
5 Philippines: Benguet Case Study ............................................................................... 21
5.1 Desktop findings ................................................................................................ 21
5.1.1 Situation Analysis ...................................................................................... 21
5.2 Summary of Interview findings ......................................................................... 21
5.2.1 Characterising the Benguet ASM Community ........................................... 22
5.2.2 Key Stakeholders Involved in ASM ............................................................ 22
5.2.3 Water Supply, Access, Use and Exposure ................................................. 23
5.2.4 Water-related Health and Safety .............................................................. 23
5.2.5 Water-related Health and Sanitation ........................................................ 25
5.2.6 The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework ................................................... 26
5.3 Recommendations ............................................................................................ 28
5.3.1 Capacity Building of Key Stakeholders ...................................................... 28
5.3.2 Community Empowerment ....................................................................... 28
6 Case Study Comparative Analysis ............................................................................. 29
6.1 Common Themes Emerging .............................................................................. 29
6.1.1 Key Institutional Stakeholders .................................................................. 29
6.1.2 Water Supply, Access and Use .................................................................. 29
i
6.1.3 Water-related Health and Safety Issues ................................................... 30
6.1.4 Water-related Health and Sanitation ........................................................ 31
6.2 Points of Difference........................................................................................... 31
6.2.1 Reported Water-related and Communicable Diseases ............................. 31
6.2.2 Access to Health Services .......................................................................... 32
6.2.3 Community Concerns and Priorities ......................................................... 32
6.2.4 Capacity Building of Key Stakeholders ...................................................... 33
6.2.5 Community Empowerment ....................................................................... 33
7 Market Research ....................................................................................................... 35
7.1 Demand, Supply and Investor Report ............................................................... 35
7.1.1 Market Needs Analysis .............................................................................. 35
7.1.2 Global Market Analysis.............................................................................. 35
8 Workshop Outcomes ................................................................................................ 41
8.1 Workshops ........................................................................................................ 41
8.1.1 Workshop 1 ............................................................................................... 41
8.1.2 Workshop 2 ............................................................................................... 42
9 Conclusions ............................................................................................................... 43
References......................................................................................................................... 45
Appendices ........................................................................................................................ 49

Figures
Figure 1: Artisanal and small-scale mining poverty trap (Source: Hilson 2012) .............. 4
Figure 2: Sustainable livelihood Framework (Source: DFID 2000) ...................................... 5
Figure 3: Interview participants .......................................................................................... 7
Figure 4: ASM processing their minerals. Source: Friends of the Nation (Ghana) ........... 12
Figure 5: Interview responses on issues of concern among artisanal miners and their
communities – Tarkwa ...................................................................................................... 17
Figure 6: Interview responses on issues of concern among artisanal miners and their
communities – Benguet .................................................................................................... 27
Figure 7: Relevant courses offered by the world’s top 50 universities............................. 36
Figure 8: Cost of Master’s degrees with related topic material ....................................... 38

Tables
Table 1: Estimated numbers in ASM in selected developing countries (Source: Buxton
2013) ................................................................................................................................... 3
Table 2: Estimated numbers in ASM in case study countries and corresponding rural
sanitation and water coverage in comparison to world metrics (Source: JMP 2014 &
Buxton 2013) ....................................................................................................................... 4
Table 3: Summary statistics of Ghana (Sources: Buxton 2013; JMP 2014; Ghana
Statistical Service 2012;UNICEF 2013) .............................................................................. 10
Table 4: Assets available to ASM and their communities – Tarkwa ................................. 16
Table 5: Assets available to ASM and their communities – Benguet ................................ 26
Table 6: Community concerns and priorities .................................................................... 32
Table 7: Cross-departmental and multi-disciplinary courses from Top 50 Universities ... 37

ii
1 Acknowledgements
The majority of materials presented in this report represent the combined efforts of post-
graduate research and the project team. Many people were involved in the completion of
this program, including; post graduate students, project team, subject matter experts,
interview participants and workshop participants. Ms Evelyn Kamanga’s Master’s project
report (Kamanga E, 2014) was submitted to IM4DC in conjunction with this report as a
deliverable of project funding, and should be referred to for further details on the Ghana
case study.
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iv
2 Executive Summary
The objective of this project was to establish a collegiate working dialogue between multiple
research partners working in the field of health, safety and sanitation of artisanal miners;
using water as a focal point for collaboration. The project comprised two concurrent phases:
2 x action research projects, undertaken for defined case study locations to support post-
graduate student work; and 1 x global market analysis, to determine demand, supply and
financial constraints for establishing an IM4DC short course on water-related health, safety
and sanitation issues at case study and/or global scales.
Key project findings are below:
 Workshops: Two collaboratively run workshops held in Brisbane and Perth, respectively,
were central to the project design and resulting outcomes. Workshops brought together
professional and academic expertise spanning occupational health and safety, and water
and sanitation and hygiene disciplines; as well as working knowledge of best practice
short course design and adult learning pedagogies. During each workshop peer-to-peer
learning was promoted through student and guest presentations on topic-relevant
subject matter, followed by activities designed to focus the project team to achieve
desired action-research and business case outcomes. At the close of Workshop 2 it was
agreed there was potential for future collaboration to develop custom designed courses
for IM4DC, targeting key stakeholders of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASM) and
associated communities. However, it was universally acknowledged that the real costs
associated with design, content development and grass roots capacity building would be
expensive - and will likely require considerable external funding to see this potential
realised.
 Action research: Two case studies were undertaken; one in the Benguet region of the
Philippines and the other in the Tarkwa region of Ghana. Both case studies form the
basis of ongoing post-graduate student work and subsequent publications. An asset-
based approach synonymous with the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) was
used to design and interpret interviews held with key stakeholders currently engaged
with these artisanal mining communities. Identified water-related occupational health,
safety and sanitation issues ranged from limited access to clean water for drinking and
domestic use, to a lack of technical and procedural information to inform safe mining
practices. Based on case study findings water-related health, safety and sanitation issues
are driven by poor governance, perceptions of the ASM sector by government and
donor groups, as well as increasing poverty levels. The asset-based approach helped
identify where existing capacity within artisanal mining communities might be
strengthened through IM4DC adult education and leadership development initiatives.
The interview and survey templates generated can be customised to other locations.
 Global market analysis: A global market research survey was designed and launched via
social media to gain an appreciation of the appetite for professional or accredited higher
degree courses relating to artisanal mining and the various disciplinary expertise offered
by the project partners. The market survey was not successful due to unplanned project
barriers – although remains available to be relaunched and/or tailored to other IM4DC
v
initiatives. A desktop global market analysis, undertaken congruent to the market
research, indicated a lack of publicly accessible information on adult learning initiatives
relating to ASM and more specifically water-related health, safety and sanitation.
However, growing interest in this space by higher education institutions and custom
training groups, suggests opportunity for cross-institutional education and professional
development programs. In consideration of the action research outcomes, we would
recommend prioritising in-country participatory knowledge transfer among future
change agents, and, development of train-the-trainer tool kits to help meet changing in-
country and community based needs.
Recommendation 1: A key finding arising from the study is that before an effective business
case can be put forward for a program to holistically address the issues facing ASM
communities, further on-the-ground consultation needs to be undertaken. Considering the
complexity of ASM, it is recommended IM4DC encourage a multi-stakeholder and multi-
disciplinary approach to ASM and the affected communities' health, safety and sanitation
issues. In-country structured round table discussions are recommended as a means to help
inform the design of future professional development and capacity development initiatives.
It is recommended that any new knowledge transfer initiatives consider the collaborative
engagement of regulator groups, media outlets, and face-to-face visits to effectively
communicate training outcomes. Expansion of this action research approach to other
countries (using materials provided) would assist in refining course materials over time to
address ASM issues more globally.
Recommendation 2: Following further on the ground research (recommendation 1) key
topic areas can be formulated. It is then the collaboration initially outlined in project
submission comes to the fore. Drawing on expertise of the Accelerated Learning Laboratory
(ALL) at UWA topic materials and training techniques are developed that focus on
participant’s leadership and influencing skills ‘to effect sustainable change’. From the action
research undertaken is believed targeting government officials and influential leaders in the
communities (such as chiefs) would help build capacity to create a more enabling
environment for ASM operation and broad scale positive change to community health,
safety and sanitation outcomes. From the interviews undertaken it was clear officials in
various government agencies and departments are considered to hold a high level of
influence and would therefore be a good initial target audience. Effective policy
formulation, record keeping, injury management, community sanitation and hygiene, law
enforcement, as well as review of currently decentralised government processes, would be
useful initial core components of topics to discuss in consultation with in-country expertise.
vi