NOVAFRICA News: New Paper Published in The Economic Journal

“Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining, Deforestation, and Economic Resilience in Africa”

By NOVAFRICA affiliates Victoire Girard and Teresa Molina Millan, together with Guillaume Vic.

This study explores how artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) influences both deforestation and local economic resilience across Africa. Leveraging geological data and exogenous temporal variation, the authors construct the first proxy for artisanal gold mining potential on the continent.

Key findings:

Increased potential for artisanal gold mining significantly drives deforestation.

Rising gold prices account for 8% of forest loss across Africa and 28% in gold-suitable areas.

Mining activities boost local wealth and act as a safety net during weather-related agricultural shocks.

Key takeaway: Artisanal mining presents a trade-off between environmental sustainability and livelihood opportunities, highlighting the complex decisions faced by communities in developing regions.

Access the paper (open access) here.