This archive report was first published on 18 June 2020.
Kenya's Artisanal Gemstone Miners Face Uncertain Future ¶
Kenya's artisanal gemstone mining sector has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with miners facing significant challenges in their daily lives.
According to a recent report, the pandemic has exacerbated the pre-existing challenges facing the mining economy, particularly artisanal mining. One of the main issues is the lack of strong institutions to protect the lives of artisanal and small-scale miners as well as the environment.
The Kenya Mining and Minerals Policy provides guidelines on the development of mining and mineral resource sectors, but artisanal mining still faces barriers to technological, workplace, social, and environmental protections.
Artisanal miners are vulnerable on multiple fronts. Their mining activities are informally organized and labor-intensive, using rudimentary mining methods. Many miners have low levels of education and technical capabilities, and lack access to good market information. Poverty is prevalent in mining communities, reducing their bargaining power when selling gemstones.
Additionally, most mines are located in remote areas with limited access to appropriate healthcare infrastructure. This makes it difficult for miners to access medical care and protective equipment, increasing their risk of contracting COVID-19.
As part of a project aimed at reversing these trends, researchers have maintained contact with miners in Taita Taveta County. They conducted short telephonic interviews with 16 artisanal miners, which provided a rare insight into the impact of COVID-19 on the sub-sector.
The miners' working conditions expose them to significant health and safety risks. They lack appropriate protective gear and equipment, and their communal living hostels are congested and lack good sanitation and water provision.
The COVID-19 measures have slowed down artisanal mining activities, affecting the livelihoods of miners and mining communities. The suspension of mining operations in Taita Taveta since March 26, 2020, halted gemstone production.
International travel restrictions have also disrupted the value chain, affecting market access and prices. Miners have experienced market price fluctuations triggered by international dealers' inability to buy gemstones.
At the national level, the COVID-19 environment has created a buyers' market. Miners are worried that intermediaries are taking advantage of their 'hand-to-mouth' lifestyles to purchase gemstones at incredibly low prices.
The lack of gemstones revenues is having devastating effects on the well-being of miners. Many have experienced anxiety and raised mental health concerns.
Many families are relying on humanitarian aid from well-wishers and organizations such as the Taita Taveta County COVID-19 resource mobilization team. Some miners have turned to farming or selling woven baskets, jewelry, and secondhand clothes as alternative sources of livelihood.
As the pandemic continues to affect the sector, it is essential to address the systemic issues that limit artisanal and small-scale mining abilities to drive socio-economic development in the region.
The sector needs to embrace a comprehensive approach to deliver critically needed infrastructure, including proper healthcare, education, and living quarters for miners. Long-term interventions, such as health insurance, are also necessary.
Additionally, the value chain systems need to change, involving the development of robust mining data and market information systems, mapping gemstone supply chains, and establishing a well-organized market infrastructure.
The Voi Gemstone Centre, a government institution, is strategically positioned to support the development of innovative trading platforms and digital tools that help visualize gemstone market flows.
With the pandemic presenting an opportunity to rebuild a more resilient sector, it is essential to work together to address the challenges facing artisanal gemstone miners in Kenya.
