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BOOTCAMP RAMR2D “Multiscale approaches to the impacts of artisanal and industrial gold mining in West Africa: issues, methodologies and research perspectives”.
Niamey, Niger – 7 to 11 June 2021
Artisanal and semi-industrial gold mining addresses many development issues: poverty alleviation – MDG 1, decent work and economic growth – MDG 8, responsible production and consumption – MDG 12, protection of wildlife – MDG 15, etc. The construction of viable solutions to address the issues raised requires the implementation of new paradigms based on a multi-stakeholder and interdisciplinary dialogue.
With this objective, academic, public, private and civil society actors met for the first time at this scale from all over West Africa in Niamey from June 7 to 11, 2021. This event brought together nearly 200 international academic and private actors and created bridges through numerous meetings, workshops, debates and training on the theme “Multiscale approaches to the impacts of artisanal and industrial gold mining in West Africa: issues, methodology and research perspectives.
Participants were able to discuss the issues, methodologies and research perspectives for responsible mining for sustainable development and the conditions necessary to be part of this trajectory.
During 5 days, these unprecedented exchanges were very fruitful. All the actors were able to draft the content of a common declaration “The Niamey Declaration of June 11, 2021 for a responsible mining activity and sustainable development” and to propose more responsible exploitation and organization modalities applicable to pilot sites of artisanal and industrial activities in West Africa.
They jointly declare the need to :
– Create bridges for a multi-actor dialogue.
– Understand the problematic of artisanal and semi-industrial gold mining as a whole through an interdisciplinary and co-developed approach.
– Identify and share innovative solutions for a community of practitioners.
– Rethink the regulatory framework of artisanal mining through this multi-stakeholder approach and in a regional logic.
– Formalize and track appropriate indicators for monitoring responsible mining activity.
