Mining, Formalization and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

This chapter explores the relationship between mining and SDG16 on peace, justice and strong and inclusive institutions. Given that the lion’s share of security concerns associated with mining revolve around the – largely informal – ASM subsector, the chapter focuses specifically on ASM. Using ASM formalization as a framework of natural resource governance, it examines both its current and potential positive and negative contributions to the global realization of SDG16 and its various dimensions. Moving beyond narratives of ‘conflict minerals’, this chapter argues that ASM formalization needs to be understood and prioritized as an integral part of peacebuilding, state-building and post-conflict reconstruction processes in conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs), and beyond.