Energy Justice Concerns of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Amidst Energy Transition

Résumé En

The history of artisanal and small-scale mining is riddled with injustices ranging from tax avoidance to land grabs, pollution, deforestation, adverse impact on local communities and destruction of the world’s carbon sinks. The benefits and adverse impacts associated with artisanal and small-scale mining are of global significance; often involving elements of technological, economic, environmental, health and safety, social, and governmental and political concerns. The exacerbated demand for metals used for low-carbon technologies as a result of climate change mitigation necessitates an intervention against the grave dangers associated with small-scale mining activities. Unfortunately, many governments do not attempt to control these activities, which are either outside their regulatory framework, or they lack the capacity to monitor or control these activities. This chapter examines the vital role of the artisanal and small-scale mining industry and the imminent relevance of energy justice application to this growing and unrecognised industry. It highlights how energy justice promotes the rights protection of artisanal and small-scale miners and communities, the redistribution of benefits, and environmental protection. Consequently, a social contract can be implemented to attain transformative change in the industry and ensure global well-being, hence, a just transition to a carbon-free economy.