Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining of Critical Minerals

This report examines the potential for ASM to take an expanded role in the global supply of critical minerals as governments and industries scramble to meet demand driven by the adoption of low-carbon energy and digital technology.

The ASM sector involves labour-intensive mineral extraction. It is an overlooked source of minerals, despite being a significant contributor to the global supply of critical minerals and several others. Although not all critical minerals can be easily sourced through ASM, there is potential for a greater role for ASM in sourcing them.

The expanded role of ASM would support much-needed livelihoods and economic development in local communities. However, considering that ASM activities can be environmentally destructive and executed by subsistence operators, major shifts in policy and regulatory stances are required to formalize and support the sector in realizing its full potential.

The report begins by analyzing key developments in critical minerals, including revisiting why industries and governments are rushing to secure access to these commodities and where key reserves are located. It then turns to ASM itself. Because it is difficult to gather ASM data due to the deeply informal nature of many critical mineral supply chains, this report includes case studies of key locations that are making important contributions to supply and where information is available. The report also identifies new ASM frontiers that could become significant if developed with the right support.

The report provides important next steps that must be taken if ASM is to become a more significant part of the critical minerals equation moving forward. Each step would go a long way toward providing the sector with the platform it needs to be viewed as a reliable contributor to the global critical minerals supply. Each step relates to strengthening ASM formalization, which would provide the sector with much-needed visibility in debates on critical mineral supply. The report, overall, seeks to advance discussions on the importance of ASM in the critical mineral space.