Abstract:
The small-scale mining (SSM) sector in South Africa thus has accelerated since
democracy as the mining sector opened up to more people. It has become an
opportunity for livelihood strategies in ways that were not possible in the past. This
has led to the development of the sector in new ways. The growth of what is often
referred to as “informal” artisanal mining activities has grown. In addition more
women and youth are involved or aspire to participate in the sector as small-scale
operators. These developments have resulted in looking at the status quo of the
SSM sector as a catalyst for changing the local economic landscape.
