The ILO in 1999 reported that ASM employed some estimated 13 million people worldwide, equivalent to between 80 and 100 million people, whose livelihoods depend directly on this activity. Mineral commodity prices have increased sharply during the last decade (e.g. gold was 300 USD/oz at the end of the 90’s). This had a direct influence of the number of people lured into artisanal mining. An extrapolation of currently about 25 million artisanal miners and 150-170 million involved people can be considered on the conservative side, given that in several countries the number of artisanal miners has multiplied between 2005 and 2009.

Despite its many risks, ASM continues to grow and will not disappear. It is both poverty driven and poverty alleviating and its continuing attraction is the opportunity it provides to many to secure their household’s survival. These activities have long-term environmental and health impacts for populations living in and around such operations.