New report examines health and safety challenges in artisanal and small-scale mining

his report examines the occupational health and safety challenges facing workers in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). It highlights how the sector’s widespread informality contributes to poor regulation, limited monitoring, and inadequate access to health and safety protections. The review draws on research from Brazil, Colombia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe to illustrate key challenges across different ASM contexts. It emphasizes the need to address the structural causes of unsafe working conditions rather than relying only on isolated interventions. The report calls for stronger regulation, formalisation, and improved occupational health and safety systems across the ASM sector.