AfriMali Insight

IMPORTANT:
Africa Transcribe is now AfriMali Insight.
This change reflects the work we are already doing - partnering with institutions, funders, and private-sector actors to translate natural resource governance and policy into accountable, on-the-ground outcomes.
AfriMali Insight brings a clearer focus on ex*****on, research, and institutional collaboration across Africa’s resource economies, particularly in artisanal and small-scale mining and resource-linked development.
Same team. Expanded mandate. Sharper clarity.
We look forward to engaging under this new identity.

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Over recent weeks, we have been immersed in a fascinating project: crafting an abridged version of the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) protocols, originally developed by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC), for Tanzania’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) sector.

The atmosphere in the training room shifted palpably during the presentation of the Child and Forced Labour Protocol. Despite official narratives from government and non-state actors downplaying its prevalence, the issue of child labour in Tanzania’s ASM sector is undeniable. Discussions painted a grim picture: children aged 10 to 17 are routinely employed in hazardous tasks, often in environments with compromised occupational health and safety (OHS) standards. In Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM), the situation is particularly dire. Young boys, in particular, handle mercury without protective gear, exposing themselves to severe health risks for minimal pay. These children, exploited by the very communities meant to protect them, face endangerment daily.

The training sessions sparked heated debates about the root causes of child labour. Many participants pointed to socio-economic factors: children from broken homes or families where fathers have abandoned their responsibilities often turn to ASM work out of necessity. In some cases, children are drawn into mining as part of debt repayment schemes, labouring to help their parents settle loans from brokers – a practice disturbingly reminiscent of colonial-era bo***ge.

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Adapting Sustainable Mining Protocols for Tanzania’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Sector – Africa Transcribe (ATRA) Over recent weeks, we have been immersed in a fascinating project: crafting an abridged version of the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) protocols, originally developed by the Mining Association of Canada, for Tanzania’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) sector. This 24-page simplified guide, ...

EU’s African minerals strategy falters with paternalistic tone and weak mining presence. Equal partnerships, bold investments, and respect for African agency are needed to compete with China’s pragmatic approach.

EU’s Flawed African Minerals Strategy: a critique on the “EU’s Playbook for African Minerals Amid China’s Dominance”. – Africa Transcribe In their commentary, The EU’s Playbook for African Minerals Amid China’s Dominance, Poorva Karkare and Karim Karaki (2024) outline the European Union’s (EU) strategy to secure critical raw materials (CRMs) from Africa to counter China’s dominance. While highlighting the EU’s supply chain v...

Some News to the right direction!..the Communication Strategy is poised to establish a more transparent, coordinated, and inclusive environment—one that aligns the interests of miners, investors, regulators, and communities for sustainable sector growth.

Tanzania Mining Commission enhances communication and transparency Respondent Online