1/ The underlying health characteristics of ASM communities may mean that they are likely to be disproportionately impacted by the crisis. The artisanal and small-scale mining life cycle has detrimental consequences on workers' and community health. This, combined with limited access to health care, means ASM community resilience to COVID-19 is likely to be low.
2/ The ASM sector is a likely vector for the spread of coronavirus in fragile states. Three reasons why ASM miners and traders are likely to contribute to the rapid spread of the illness:
- ASM production will continue regardless of any restrictions because many ASM labourers live hand to mouth.
- For production to continue the trade in minerals must continue.
- ASM miners and traders are highly transitory.
3/ The impact of COVID-19 is likely to destabilise already fragile security situations in ASM areas. Armed elements could see the pandemic as an opportunity to extend their control over CAHRAs, where the production and trade in minerals is/has been linked to conflict financing and serious human rights violations, primarily impacting rural communities. Long term, this would raise barriers to formal, responsible trade, which is difficult to achieve within a conflict setting.
4/ Lower-income and rising food prices will increase poverty in ASM communities. ASM communities’ short-term purchasing power will be significantly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. At the same time, disruption to local food supply chains will increase the cost of basic necessities. It will be harder for communities to access these essential provisions at a time of great need.
5/ Liquidity crunches will limit the medium-term viability of ASM production and jobs. Traditional pre-financing networks are likely to be disrupted and replaced by buying relationships formed in a temporary “buyers’ market”. This could negatively impact the medium-term viability and productivity of ASM operations as embedded capital is replaced by a “quick win” mentality. This will only compound the impact on ASM incomes the longer the crisis continues.
6/ COVID-19 will bring ASM populations into closer contact with wildlife increasing the prospect for animal to human transmission of infectious diseases. As food shortages push ASM populations into closer contact with animals, the present crisis could generate the conditions from which a new pandemic could be born. To prevent this, we need to prioritise emergency response to vulnerable groups, including ASM communities.
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