Search

Although some of the actions employed in developed countries in large-scale mining operations to minimise environmental damage could be applied in small-scale mines in developing countries, it is difficult to do so because of excessive centralisation, excessive bureaucracy, overlap of jurisdiction between government agencies, and lack of resources to enforce and monitor these actions. Neither technology nor legislation will improve sustainability in small-scale mining; the activity is driven by the short-term needs of the population as long as poverty continues., Although some of the actions employed in developed countries in large-scale mining operations to minimise environmental damage could be applied in small-scale mines in developing countries, it is difficult to do so because of excessive centralisation, excessive bureaucracy, overlap of jurisdiction between government agencies, and lack of resources to enforce and monitor these actions. Neither technology nor legislation will improve sustainability in small-scale mining; the activity is driven by the short-term needs of the population as long as poverty continues.