Artisanal & Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASM)
Around 100 million people worldwide live off artisanal and small-scale gold mining.1 It produces an estimated 15 % of the gold that comes out of
Florian Harkort
19. September 2026
A significant share of the world’s gold production comes from artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). Here, we explore the realities, challenges, and opportunities of this sector – and highlight pioneering mines and initiatives.
Around 100 million people worldwide live off artisanal and small-scale gold mining.1 It produces an estimated 15 % of the gold that comes out of
Small-scale gold mining is rife with problems, from hazardous working conditions to human rights abuses, often associated with child labor.
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The mining organization Iquira is located in the southwest of Colombia in the Department of Huila. In the middle of Colombia‘s coffee-growing areas, it is operated as a classic underground mine.
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4,700 meters above sea level. The area is characterized by cold and snowy weather with temperatures between -10 °C to + 10 °C.
Ten mining cooperatives have joined forces under the umbrella organization. These include San Juan de Dios di Pam, Halcon de Oro, Municipal de Ananea, and the Minera Santiago de Ananea.