Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ethiopia: A Comprehensive Review of the Sector's Trend, Performance and Potential

Mining is the backbone for ASGM community livelihood and it is a difficult and risky occupation operated without guarantee. Artisanal and small-scale mining in Ethiopia was poor industry dominated by a large number of unskilled and semi-skilled labor force. Because of vast informal engagement, ASGM history has not been properly recorded. Though the ASGM provides employment for a million peoples directly and indirectly in Ethiopia, mainly it operates informally, working without license, lack legal protection, and government support and not complying with government regulations and environmental mitigation matters. The legal enforcement level of proclamations is weak. Nearly all ASGM miners use manual tools in the country, and this strictly need technology interventions. Proclamation, regulations, laws, guidelines, policy and directives pertaining to ASGM on mining, environment, and related issues should be reviewed. This review article based on the previous study in assessing and analyzing ASGM sector in Ethiopia by addressing technical, legal, economic, and social factors. This aimed to gather information on ASGM in Ethiopia and assess previous study to improve productivity and market links, and promote sustainable development in the ASGM sector. The study revealed that the ASGM sector in Ethiopia remains underdeveloped, with minimal contribution to country’s GDP. Indeed, this review cannot go by without appreciating the current awareness and alertness that is happening within ASGM sector.