The report, "2020 State of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Sector," examines artisanal and small-scale mining’s contribution to achieving the SDG8: promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. The report finds that informality of the sector, an ongoing problem that affects around 90 percent of ASM activity, leaves artisanal workforces around the globe exposed to dangerous working conditions. From landslides to mercury exposure to intense manual rock crushing, miners enter the work site most days under-protected. These vulnerabilities have only been heightened by the socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis. Artisanal miners saw reduced incomes resulting from temporary mine closures, a drop in mineral prices, and reduced access to work caused by severe disruptions of global mineral supply chains which rely on ASM-sourced materials.
Better working conditions can improve productivity, health, and safety for the over 44 million artisanal miners across 80 countries. The report outlines solutions to improve occupational health and safety, social protection, and fair labor standards for the artisanal and small-scale (ASM) sector and at least 134 million people who are estimated to work in industries that support the sector.