Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the development issues associated with ethical trade in artisanal mineral products and questions what role they play in wealth creation for the development of urban mining economies.

Paper long abstract:

Urbanisation, higher incomes, and demographic shifts contribute to changing global consumption patterns. For the African mineral trade, these consumption patterns lead consumer groups in developed countries to demand quality and safety attributes for minerals used in the jewellery trade and in electronic goods. These attributes include the absence of violent conflict or poor labour conditions, and capturing development and environmental benefits through the value chain. One response to this demand has been ethical trade based on voluntary quality control, management and assurance schemes.

For African artisanal miners voluntary assurance schemes for ethical trade enable participation in global value chains and provide access to new segments of the international market. In so doing ethical trade holds potential to contribute to processes of livelihood change, entrepreneurial development and wealth creation that are part of the development of urban mining economies. However, the benefits of ethical trade can also be captured by particular interest groups, with consequences for power and social relations, entry requirements may exclude certain categories of artisanal miner,and development benefits may be tenuous. This paper explores the development issues associated with ethical trade in mineral products and questions what role they play in wealth creation in mining Africa.