News

Fact Sheet on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining and Responsible Security Management

In June 2022, DCAF, the ICRC, and the GCBHR will launch cutting-edge practical guidance for companies on responsible security management: The Security and Human Rights Toolkit.

This week, DCAF, ICRC and the GCBHR are releasing the artisanal and small-scale mining fact sheet as a ‘sneak preview’ of the revised Toolkit. Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is a reality in many mining contexts. Issues such as access to mining concessions, limited economic options and in-migration can lead to conflicts between companies, security providers, small-scale miners and communities. These incidents can seriously threaten the rights and dignity of individual miners and their communities.

The approach a company takes to managing community relationships, and in particular the role played by security providers, can exacerbate or mitigate the escalation of these conflicts.

This week’s fact sheet features examples from extractive companies. It discusses concepts such as:

  • How can companies engage with artisanal and small-scale miners?
  • How can companies address ASM and human rights risks in their supply chain?
  • How can ASM exacerbate security and human rights challenges?

Read the fact sheet here!

Previous Fact Sheets

Upcoming Fact Sheets

  • Human rights defenders
  • Indigenous peoples

Security and Human Rights Toolkit

The new edition of the Toolkit on Addressing Security and Human Rights Challenges in Complex Environments supports and guides companies in how to responsibly organise their security arrangements. The Toolkit helps companies identify and mitigate human rights risks related to operational environments where social tensions or armed conflicts occur and where governance and rule of law are weak. 

The updated version of the Toolkit will feature new case studies, tested good practices, resources, tools and fact sheets that provide concise, practical guidance on a series of key concepts connected to responsible security practices. It launches June 2022.