Study on impacts of artisanal gold and diamond mining on livelihoods and the environment in the Sangha Tri-National Park landscape

Abstract

Gold and diamond mining constitute more than half of all mineral exploitation worldwide, with an estimated 6 to 9 million artisanal miners active in the gold and diamond sectors. Africa hosts a third of the world’s natural mineral wealth, including 65 percent of global diamond deposits. While mineral exploitation contributes to the livelihoods of many, it generally leaves a negative impact on the environment, which may ultimately be detrimental to livelihoods. The impacts on both the environment and livelihoods are of particular concern around areas with high conservation values, such as in the Sangha Tri-National Landscape (TNS) a landscape which includes 3 national parks and covers Cameroon, the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo. This report on the impact of artisanal gold and diamond mining in the TNS results from a joint initiative of the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the International Union Conservation of Nature, Central and West African offices (IUCN-PACO).