Impacts of Artisanal Small-Scale Mining in Rural Households: A Case of Mzimba District, Malawi

Abstract

Most rural development related policies and programs in Malawi take up a farm first approach where most objectives of these programs are aimed at strengthening and/or improving rural peoples’ assets towards agricultural production. As Malawi is pursuing its interest in promoting its mining sector, especially the Artisanal and small-scale sub sector, gaps exist in literature on the impact of such artisanal and small-scale activities “have had” and/or “will most likely have” on the livelihoods of farmers now turned miners. The study aimed at finding out the impacts of Artisanal Small-scale Mining (ASM) on livelihoods in northern Malawi- Mzimba district. It also examines the Malawian mining policies and their implications on ASM. Methodologically and analytically, this study embodies the livelihoods approach. Results show that ASM is a viable livelihood strategy as long as it is synthesized with small scale subsistence farming. Mining in the district is mostly a seasonal activity that alternates with farming between the rainy and dry seasons. Environmental degradation, lack of infrastructure and markets impedes ASM related livelihood activities. The draft Malawi ASM Policy plans to formalize the sector. This study recommends that before any move into the formalization process is done, Malawi has to do more studies of the same as formalization is known to bar local people from access to mining activities thereby threatening their livelihoods.

Keywords: Artisanal Small-scale Mining, Rural Livelihoods, Malawi