Ethiopia: Transformation of “Rain-fed Lootable Mining” Economy in Dead End?

Abstract

Worldwide, particularly in the developing countries, pushed by grinding poverty, artisanal (and small-scale) mining is alarmingly being practiced. This type of mining is either a strong predictor of large-scale mining or is another side of the same coin. In either or both cases, poverty, conflict and ecological marginalization are common denominators almost over all mineral “resource blessed” countries which sooner or later turns into “resource curse”. Hence the findings indicate that the sector is primitive, excluded in periphery, inefficient, conflict and insecurity-ridden, occupied by ever broadening hostile actors. It is mediated by necessity, seldom materializing opportunity, steep market demand, and legal and institutional loopholes. Worst still, the interventions and responses by the state miss the points of concern and are misguided. In a nutshell, neither the lootable mining sector nor the occupants verge transformability primarily due to respective characteristics.

Keywords: Lootable, ASM, not-legalized, Nomadic, transformation.