Abstract
Artisanal mining is a significant industry in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting anywhere from
2% to 20% of a country’s gross domestic products (GDP). Safety concerns in artisanal
mining are often overlooked due to the nature of the business, which is largely a
subsistence occupation. This paper presents some of the risks commonly observed in
surface artisanal mining operations and provides basic safety recommendations for
operators to follow to prevent serious accidents or fatalities. The five most frequently cited
causes of serious accidents are rockfalls and collapses, lack of ventilation, misuse of
explosives, lack of knowledge and training, and obsolete and poorly maintained equipment.