Pork knocking in the land of many waters: Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Guyana

The growth of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Guyana has received little attention in the literature, despite its rapid growth and now central importance in this small country's socioeconomic fortunes. Although the activity in Guyana shares commonalities with ASM activity elsewhere in the world, it also displays some unique characteristics. This article builds upon existing debates and current issues surrounding Guyanese ASM. A lack of baseline data and research on the dynamics, underlying forces and various outcomes of the ASM sector has acted as a significant constraint on the regulation and development of the sector in a completely desirable fashion. This has been the result of, but has also been exacerbated by, the ineffective nature of intervention, enforcement and assistance. This paper aims to demonstrate and argue for the need for developing much clearer understandings of and effective interactions with the ASM sector in Guyana. Such all developments are the more pressing given future policies, which may represent potentially sizeable challenges for the continued vibrancy of ASM operations.

► The paper is a critical discussion of ASM in Guyana.
► ASM is an increasingly prominent in Guyana, but information and literature is lacking.
► Lack of baseline data and research relating to ASM act as a constraint for its desirable development.
► The above has resulted from and been reinforced by ineffective interaction with ASM.
► Future developments have the potential to cause large impacts in Guyana's ASM sector.