Title: A country-wide analysis of mineral exploration in small-scale mining

Authors: Ricardo Tichauer; Erbertt Barros Bezerra; Giorgio De Tomi

Addresses: Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil ' Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil ' Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Abstract: Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is an important source of work and income for communities all over the world. Despite its importance, artisanal and small-scale mines are often informal and poorly equipped, ignoring mining best practices and operating under significant risks associated with high geological uncertainty. This paper offers a diagnosis of the mineral exploration programs in small-scale mining. A matrix-based evaluation method available in recent research initiatives described in the literature was applied to 246 mines in all five regions of Brazil. The application of the matrix resulted in a national average index of 3.4 in a range that can vary from 2.0 to 10.0. The low index confirms the initial assumption that small-scale mining operates with little geological knowledge. This study underlines the importance of public policies and initiatives to disseminate best exploration practices in small-scale mining, promoting sustainability of small-scale mineral projects and socioeconomic development of communities around them.

Keywords: small-scale mining; mineral exploration; geological uncertainty; risk management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2022.129519

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2022 Vol.13 No.2, pp.135 - 161

Accepted: 12 Jul 2022
Published online: 13 Mar 2023 *

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