Project

Gomalive - Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining in Tanzania (COMPLETED)

This interdisciplinary project seeks to explore livelihood-improving technologies, education and capacity building strategies for abating and mitigating toxic contaminants from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Tanzania.

The release of toxic pollutants from gold mining activities, in particular mercury, causes severe negative impacts to ecosystems and human health in Tanzania, but also in other East African countries. A feasible and effective reduction of these impacts must start from a profound understanding of the complex interrelations between gold mining activities, environmental and health impacts from toxic contamination, and individuals’ livelihood practises in the life course. Based on the gained insights the project will develop and implement livelihood-improving water and sanitation technologies in close collaboration with local communities, operators of mining companies, and stakeholders from (local) governmental institutions, educational institutions and NGOs. In addition, the project will develop capacity building and education programmes with the aim to enable individuals living in local mining communities to develop livelihood-improving, long-term pollution management strategies.