Silver Rises Over 120% YTD 
Published: 07-01-2025, 05:26 pm | Updated: 07-01-2025, 10:27 am
Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) produces 20% of global gold and employs 20 million people across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Yet 85% operates outside the law, leaving it open to criminal exploitation.
The World Gold Council reports that criminal networks use informal gold mining to fund illegal activities, while communities suffer from mercury pollution and human rights abuses. Governments lose tax revenue and face security threats.
The solution: mercury-free processing plants that boost miners’ incomes, increase transparency, and help formalize the sector. Case studies from Peru and Tanzania show these facilities work.
For success, governments must create smart regulations, invest in infrastructure, and partner with private companies. This transforms small-scale mining from a security risk into legitimate economic growth—protecting communities while capturing lost revenue.
