Afghanistan
ASM Population: 80,000
Estimations from own field work (2008-2016) appear to be the most recent data: → 80,000.
Min/max: +/-10% apprears reasonable, i.e. +/- 10,000.
Female participation is most likely to be none: 0
Gold: 5,000 according to 2016 estimation
Data sources for estimation
2021: 50,000
(AFG-2021a): “In 2012, the Afghan government estimated that 50,000 people were engaged directly in ASM and 450,000 were indirectly dependent on the ASM sector (Hart Group 2016).”
See also: Delve Country Profile Afghanistan https://delvedatabase.org/resources/delve-country-profile-afghanistan
2018: 80,000
(ARM-18), Table Annex 3: 80,000
(IGF-18), Data in Annex: 80,000
2016: 80,000
Estimation from in-country work by Felix Hruschka, 2008-2016: 80,000
First published at artisanalmining.org
15,000 Gemstone (Emerald, Lapis) / Source: own estimation from GEM-ASM project
25,000 Semi-precious stones in Nangarhar province (Jalalabad) / Source: credible personal communications
5,000 Gold / Source: own estimation from GEM-ASM project
10,000 Coal / Source: own estimation from NCE project
20,000 Marbel & construction materials / Source: own estimation from GEM-ASM project
5,000 Other commodities (e.g. Chrome, etc.) / Source: own estimation from CBAGS project
Publications
| Reference | Year | Citation | Archived Copy | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFG-2021a | 2021 | DeWitt, J.D., Sunder, S., and Boston, K.M., 2021, Afghanistan artisanal and Small- scale mining sector, Delve Country Profile, World Bank Extractives Global Programmatic Support Multi- Donor Trust Fund, Pact, in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, D.C., 52 p. | afg-2021a.pdf | delvedatabase.org/… |
| IGF-18 | 2018 | IGF (2018): Global Trends in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM): A review of key numbers and issues. IIED/IISD, London, Winnipeg. | igf-18.pdf | iisd.org/… |
| ARM-18 | 2018 | Barreto, M.L.,Schein, P., Hinton, J., Hruschka, F. (2018): The Impact of Small-Scale Mining Operations on Economies and Livelihoods in Low- to Middle-Income Countries. ARM, Envigado, PACT, Westcombe. | arm-18.pdf | responsiblemines.org/… |
Further Materials
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD89387C34A53D4CA
Articles:
2014: http://mines.pajhwok.com/news/workers-training-reduces-human-losses-grows-production
Data section
| ASM DATA - Country Database Record | |
|---|---|
| Country Code | AFG |
| Country | Afghanistan |
| ASM Status | Existing (data assessed) |
| Country Count | 1 |
| Data year | 2016 |
| Publ. year | 2018 |
| ASM Miners | 80,000 |
| - gold | 5 ,000 |
| Data curation | as reported |
| Inc. DevMin | some |
| - min. | 70,000 |
| - max. | 90,000 |
| - female | 0 |
| ASM Commodities | gemstone, lapis lazuli, emerald, ruby, marbel, gold, coal, chromite |