17/07/2025
During the online meeting that took place on Tuesday 15/07/25 where women discussed the challenges they face in small-scale mining, these were the key takeaways:
*1. Security and Gender-Based Discrimination*
- *Challenges:*
- Intimidation and hooliganism against female-owned mines
- Sexual exploitation during deal-making processes
- *Solutions:*
- Promote gender-inclusive leadership in mining associations
- Represent women's concerns and advocate for their rights
*2. Unequal Access to Equipment and Resources*
- *Challenges:*
- Unfair loan distributions and gender-selective lending
- Limited access to equipment due to financial constraints
- *Solutions:*
- Establish transparent and gender-inclusive allocation systems
- Implement community-based hiring schemes or shared equipment pools
- Explore provincial-level crowdfunding strategies
*3. High Financial Rates from Regulatory Authorities*
- *Challenges:*
- Unaffordable charges from EMA and other regulatory bodies
- Lack of understanding of rates and the importance of charged services
- Complex and costly regularization process
- *Solutions:*
- Host training workshops on compliance and report writing
- Engage stakeholders in simplifying the regularization process
- Advocate for a One-Stop-Shop at the district level
*4. Lack of Basic Infrastructure for Women*
- *Challenges:*
- Inadequate ablution facilities at stamp mills, affecting women during menstruation
- *Solutions:*
- Push for minimum infrastructure standards at mining and processing sites
- Advocate for policy inclusion of female-specific needs in mining standards
*5. Limited Financial Inclusion*
- *Challenges:*
- Lack of collateral for bank loans
- Limited awareness of available support and unfavorable loan terms
- *Solutions:*
- Conduct financial literacy training on loan types, budgeting, and repayment plans
- Advocate for inclusive lending criteria considering mining potential
*6. Knowledge Gaps in Mining Operations*
- *Challenges:*
- Limited understanding of legal requirements, geological knowledge, and gold processing
- *Solutions:*
- Offer on-site training in geological surveying, gold recovery, and processing
- Promote access to prospecting licenses and educate women on registration
*7. Policy & Legislative Barriers*
- *Challenges:*
- Unclear or unfavorable implications of new bills/laws on small-scale miners
- *Solutions:*
- Interpret and explain new laws to members in simple language
- Advocate for policies supporting small-scale miners, particularly women
