The Socioeconomic Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Chile

This chapter from the book ‘The Socio-Economic Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Developing Countries’ reviews the general characteristics of SSM in Chile, highlighting production levels through 2001, the institutional support framework, production technology, environmental impacts, and its socioeconomic characteristics.

From a socioeconomic point of view, small-scale mining (SSM) is a very important activity in Chile. The sector includes around 10,000-15,000 direct and indirect workers, taking into account the artisanal miners and work sites dedicated to the extraction and/or processing of gold, copper, silver and coal. In 2001, SSM was responsible for 6.04% of national gold production, 0.85% of copper production, and some 25% of coal production. Metallic SSM in the North receives State support through ENAMI (National Mining Company), which maintains a promotional policy of purchasing power sustained through a system of tariffs and subsidies. Small-scale coal mining in the South receives State assistance through CORFO (Production Promotional Corporation), whose programs are mainly directed at social aspects and labor reinsertion.

Additional Info

Author(s)
S Castro
Publication Year
2006
Language
English
Publishing Institution Webpage
https://www.crcpress.com/
Data Source Classification
Program Report
Research Type
Secondary
Research Methodology
Secondary - PREVIOUS RESEARCH
Thematic Tags
Social, Child Labor, Employment, Health and Safety, Livelihoods
Minerals
Copper, Gold, Silver
Region
Latin America & Caribbean
Country
Chile
Last Updated
October 2, 2019