African Artisanal Mining from the Inside Out

Drawing on hundreds of interviews and extensive field research, this book provides a rich and in-depth analysis of practices and norms in Congolese gold mines. Instead of portraying miners and traders as passive victims, it focuses on their practices and the ways in which they gain access to and benefit from the mineral resources. It shows a professional artisanal mining sector governed by a set of specific norms, offering ample opportunities for flexible employment and local livelihood support. It argues for the viability of artisanal gold mining in the context of weak African states and in the transition towards a post-conflict and more industrialized economy.