Management Strategies for ASM in Protected Areas and Critical Ecosystems worldwide Based on research by the ASM-PACE Programme

By Cristina Villegas of Estelle Levin Ltd. and ASM-PACE As part of the “Enhancing the Developmental Potential of Artisanal and Small‐Scale Mining” Conference The World Bank, June 7-8, 2012

www.estellelevin.com and www.asm-pace.org

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Protected Areas

Protected areas are increasingly vulnerable to mineral rushes because of the escalating price of certain minerals (especially gold) and because protected areas are seen as virgin, and un-mined.

Where does ASM take place & why is it a problem?

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•  ASM is occurring in or around 96 of 147 protected areas or critical ecosystems are affected (and those were the ones identified in a desk-based study)

•  Of 36 countries studied, we found evidence in 32 countries of ASM actively taking place in or adjacent to protected areas or “critical ecosystems”

•  Affected sites include at least 7 natural World Heritage Sites and at least 12 WWF Priority Landscapes

•  ASM is impacting all types of critical ecosystems, from artic landscapes (Greenland) to tropical rainforests (Brazil and Gabon, among many others), to coral reefs (Philippines) and more

Places

Countries subject to ASM practices

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Affected conservation sites World Heritage Sites: •  Kahuzi-Biega National Park (DRC) •  Okapi Wildlife Reserve (DRC) •  Virunga National Park (DRC) •  Garamba National Park (DRC) •  Salonga National Park (DRC) •  Lorentz National Park (Indonesia) •  Niokolo-Koba National Park

(Senegal)

Possibly threatened WHS (more information needed): •  Manú National Park (Peru) •  Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) •  Selous Game Reserve (Tanzania)

WWF Priority Places/ Ecoregions: •  Amazon-Guianas •  African Rift Lakes Region •  Borneo (Indonesian) •  Cerrado-Pantanal •  Choco-Darien •  Congo Basin •  Coral Triangle •  Madagascar •  Mekong Complex •  Namib-Karoo-Kaokoveld •  New Guinea & offshore islands •  Orinoco River & Flooded forests

Possibly threatened (more info needed): •  Yangtze Basin

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The Environmental Challenge

Artisanal diamond mining in DRC

Key motivations for ASM

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What does ASM brings to people: •  Job creation •  Income •  Positive economic effects on local communities •  Dignity •  Food security •  Education

Key motivations for ASM to be done in protected areas and critical ecosystems

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•  Protected areas are virgin areas; they have not yet been mined

•  There is no need to have a legal license to work in a protected area. If it is unguarded it is free money

•  Industrial mine development pushes artisanal miners from traditional areas and into more remote locations or nearby protected areas.

•  Lack of legitimacy of park borders amongst the local population (e.g. Suriname and Liberia)

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Management Strategies

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1.  Eviction - Most common used ‘strategy’ - Key risks, best and worst practice 2.  Negotiated Access - Example & key risks 3. Multi-stakeholder supply chain initiatives - Example & key risk 4. Certification initiatives - Replicable in weak states? 5. Alternative Livelihood Programmes - Key risks 6. Selected de-gazettement or “Mining mindful” conservation planning - Example & key risks 7. Conversion to protected area status

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Thank you cristina@estellelevin.com estelle@estelleleving.com

www.estellelevin.com www.asm-pace.org

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Generous leadership funders of the ASM-PACE programme:

•  The Tiffany & Co. Foundation •  World Bank’s Programme on Forests (PROFOR) •  WWF Netherlands •  WWF USA •  WWF DRC •  WWF Madagascar •  Africa Biodiversity and Conservation Group (ABCG/BATS) – a USAID-funded initiative •  WWF’s Central Africa Regional Programme Office (WWF CARPO)

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Dry season terracing by artisanal gold miners in

Minkebe National Park, Gabon

The effects of artisanal mining in Brownsberg Nature Park,

Suriname