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Accepted Paper:

Climate Change…..So What? From Artisanal Mining to Sustainable Livelihoods and Environments on the Jos Plateau  
Nanji Rimdan Umoh (University of Jos) John Baling Fom (University of Jos)

Paper short abstract:

The paper explores avenues through which compromises beneficial to the host mining communities in Jos can be reached between stakeholders, to avoid re-enactments of the scenarios of conflict and environmental degradation in Nigeria's Niger Delta area.

Paper long abstract:

In Jos, artisanal mining, the mainstay of many youths, is characterized by the dearth or absence of technology, capital, and modernized mining applications, yet portending 'huge' economic benefits for living above poverty. This paper examines mining governance, or the lack of it within the informal economic sector, and the implications for the activities of the artisanal miners, the host communities, the ecosystem, etc. on the Plateau. It evaluates the expectations of the artisanal miners from the government and vice versa that thrive on diverse perspectives, developed in response to actions and activities related to the mining of these resources. Governance processes emphasize formal procedures of mineral extraction which entail documentation, the acquisition of mining rights or leases from the ministry of solid minerals, and the use of specialized equipment. Conversely, artisanal miners are propelled by perceptions of 'ownership', proximity to the mineral resources within their communities, and socioeconomic factors including poverty and unemployment, above considerations for life on land and environmental protection. The paper evaluates the policy processes and responsibilities for economic advancement, the environment, implications for inclusiveness, opportunities for access, and transitions from the informal to the formal economy, in line with the ILO Recommendation 204. Using qualitative methods, the study appraises critical issues with direct links to policy that appertain mining-related conflicts, mechanisms of production, consumption, growth, dimensions of engagement with key stakeholders, and futuristic interventions to guarantee sustainable futures for the host communities.

Keywords: Artisanal Mining, Environmental Protection, ILO Recommendation 204, Informal Economy, Solid Mineral Resource Governance

Panel P28a
Inclusive Futures for Informal Workers in Cities in the Global South I
  Session 1 Thursday 7 July, 2022, -