Empowering Livelihoods through Development Minerals
Supporting small-scale mining communities in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific with skills, green solutions, and opportunities for inclusive growth
The ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme is an initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), coordinated by the Secretariat of the OACPS, financed by the European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and implemented by UNDP. This capacity-building programme aims to build the profile and improve the management of Development Minerals in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
The objectives of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme, implemented in partnership with UNDP, are:
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- Increasing competitiveness and incomes of Artisanal and Small-Scale Enterprises in Mining and Mineral Processing (ASMEs)
- Supporting inclusive and sustainable Development Minerals value chains, promoting low-carbon, circular materials and processes
DEVELOPMENT MINERALS
‘Development Minerals’ are minerals and materials that are mined, processed, manufactured and used in industries such as construction, manufacturing,
and agriculture.
Industrial minerals
limestone, gypsum, salt
Construction materials
sand, gravel, clay
Dimension stones
marble, granite
Semi-precious stones
garnet, agate, tourmaline
8 of the top 10
produced mineral commodities in the world are Development Minerals
Development Minerals account for
84%
of global mineral production
WHERE WE WORK
OUR IMPACT
The Programme has significantly advanced the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries by creating an enabling environment for artisanal and small-scale miners and strengthening the capacities of miners and public institutions. The Programme has fostered growth and sustainability in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, with a strong focus on inclusivity, environmental responsibility, and economic empowerment. It has also promoted innovation and value addition. Key highlights include:
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- Put Development Minerals on the map
- Raised the profile of artisanal and small-scale mining
- Helped organize and formalize artisanal miners and build their capacities
- Fostered enabling environment and improved capacity of government institutions working with artisanal miners
- Empowered women in mining
- Provided small grants to artisanal mining organizations to foster better health, safety and environmental management
- Facilitated knowledge exchange between and within countries
- Fostered transformation of artisanal mining as business organizations
- Supported innovative, environmentally-friendly technologies for value addition and job creation
AT A GLANCE
10 countries received in-depth support
40+ African, Caribbean and Pacific countries participated in our activities
400+
artisanal and small-scale mining cooperatives formalized with
21000+
members
14000
people trained on health, safety, environmental management, social conflict, small business development, and value addition
40%
of beneficiaries are women
our focus areas
We work to increase competitiveness and incomes of artisanal and small-scale enterprises in mining and processing of Development Minerals, to improve environmental, social and governance dimensions of artisanal mining, and promoting low-carbon, circular materials and processes.
Stories
The stories of people and places, blogs and opinion pieces to bring about development transformation in artisanal and small-scale mining and using minerals for development.
Events
The Programme conducts training programs for artisanal and small-scale miners and public stakeholders, workshops, knowledge exchanges to equip stakeholders with skills and knowledge and advocate for sustainable development of artisanal small-scale mining and the Development Minerals sector.
- There are no upcoming events.
- There are no upcoming events.
Latest Past Events
Uganda – Tanzania Knowledge Sharing Mission
Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, TanzaniaA high-level delegation from Uganda explored best practices from Tanzania’s success in mining sector management. By learning from Tanzania's experiences, […]
Training of Trainers on Low-Carbon Materials: Stabilized Earth Brickmaking and Demonstration Building
Ouagadougou, Burkina FasoThe Programme organized a Training of Trainers on production of Stabilized Earth Bricks – a type of low-carbon material following […]
Forum on Sustainable and Inclusive Mineral Value Chains, South-South Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing
Lusaka, ZambiaThe international Forum on Sustainable and Inclusive Mineral Value Chains addressed the importance of enhancing artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) […]
Resources
The Programme produces knowledge and evidence to enhance the understanding and promote best practices in artisanal and small-scale mining and Development Minerals.
Partners
