South Africa (NAAM)

While our demand for equality falls on deaf ears. It is because of these reasons that born the importance to form Na-

tional a body that provides voice; advocates and represents historically disadvantage African women and men from

distressed mining communities on the need for an appropriate, consistent, and transparent policy and regulatory frame-

work that focuses on facilitation and management of artisanal mining in South Africa.

1. NAAM it is an association of mining affected communities; civil societies; artisanal forums; interested and affectedparties calling for formalization and decriminalization of the artisanal mining activities.

2.  NAAM’s aim is the recognition by the stakeholders, of the potential value that lies in large scale miners’ buildingrelationships and partnerships with artisanal miners; and the urgent need for programs for artisanal mining communi-ties across South Africa to raise awareness about the human and environmental dangers of unsafe artisanal mining and,the dangers of mercury usage.

3. NAAM’s duty is to promote the need for a holistic, collaborative approach by all role players - government; civilsociety; and large scale mining houses, to address the opportunities and challenges posed by unregulated artisanal min-ing, encouraging African owned commercial means by building of local based jewelry processing and shops for ownSouth African consume.

4. The recommendations were made by various stakeholders with regard to gaps and contradictions. Some of those find-ings are around the extent to which illegality pervades the whole mining industry not just artisanal sector (the factwhich is contrary to what many are taught to believe) and recommendations for the improvement of the situation werealso provided.

5. NAAM is formed to enforce; facilitate and monitor the implementation and adherence of these recommendationsinto the environmental, social, and governance issues related to; business and human rights in the context of meaning-ful development of previously economically oppressed African communities in the extractive industries.In South Africa, artisanal mining is not legally recognized, despite its growth and the potential opportunities it offers,economically and socially.

6. NAAM’s objective is to foster public participation in local economic development planning of work, related toabandoned mines and tailings; rehabilitation and land reform for improved livelihoods in rural and mining communi-ties of South Africa

We acknowledge the fact that unregulated activities are synonymous with social, health and environmental ills, making

it even more challenging.

NAAM members are aware that certain artisan mining activities, such as the use of mercury and working in danger-

ous shafts should not be tolerated, hence NAAM supports and promotes safer artisan mining processes that have the potential to enable job creation and support informal trade among locals.