An investigation into hazards, controls, and enhancement of protective workplace practices in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in Zimbabwe

Singo, Josephine (2023): An investigation into hazards, controls, and enhancement of protective workplace practices in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in Zimbabwe. Dissertation, LMU München: Faculty of Medicine

Abstract

Background: Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) accounts for more than fifty percent of national gold production, contributing to sustainable livelihood and economic development in Zimbabwe. However, ASGM in Zimbabwe involves semi-mechanised ASM and high-risk underground mining processes with compromised workplace practices. Research on ASGM in Zimbabwe has revealed mercury poisoning, TB, HIV, and accidents. Contrarily, there is little research on preventive workplace practices in ASGM in Zimbabwe. This work, investigates hazards, controls, and enhancement of protective workplace practices in ASGM in Zimbabwe. Methods: Triangulation and method mixing were applied through cross-sectional survey; risk assessment; in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. Kadoma and Shurugwi were purposefully selected. The Kish Leslie formula was used to calculate a representative sample. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied for quantitative data. Qualitative data was coded and analysed through thematic analysis. Method mixing was applied during data collection and analysis. Results: Numerous hazards and risks, lacking effective control measures, and compromised protective measures were confirmed. Mercury pollution, accidents, injuries, HIV, TB, malaria risk, as well as alcohol and drug use, were found. The odds of experiencing health and safety risks increased when exposed to underground mining, long working hours, workplace violence and equipment use. Informal practices such as mining activities within homesteads, underground mining near riverbanks and ASGM activities on agriculture sites were revealed. Disabling causal factors contributing to compromised workplace risk management included human, workplace, ASGM-related and contextual factors. Men were more vulnerable to injuries while women occupied peripheral roles. Proposed risk mitigation layers included formalisation, organisation of protective workplace practices and behaviour change. However, each mitigation layer was characterised by gaps and limitations. Conclusion: ASGM in Zimbabwe is characterized by, numerous hazards, compromised control measures, disabling causal factors, and shortcomings in risk mitigation. The Progressive Miner-Centric-Multi-Stakeholder-Approach together with the bussiness approach were proposed to enhance protective workplace practices in ASGM in Zimbabwe

• Item Type: Theses (Dissertation, LMU Munich)
• Keywords: Occupational health and safety; workplace hazards and risks; controls; disabling contributing causal factors; comprehensive formalisation; protective health and safety practices; behaviour change; business practices; Know-Plan-Practise-Learn-Act cycle; ASGM; Zimbabwe; Progressive-Miner-Centric-Multi-Stakeholder-Gender-Empowering-Approach
• Subjects: 600 Technology, Medicine; 600 Technology, Medicine > 610 Medical sciences and medicine
• Faculties: Faculty of Medicine
• Language: English
• Date of oral examination: 15. November 2023
• 1. Referee: Böse-O´Reilly, Stephan
• Signature of the printed copy: 0700/UMD 21991