SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF ARTISANAL AND SMALL-SCALE MINING (ASM) IN NASARAWA STATE, CENTRAL NIGERIA
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Abstract
Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) has recently received increased local and international attention. This paper aims at providing a balanced overview of the positive and negative impacts of Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) in Nigeria, with particular reference to Nasarawa State. The benefits and hazards are reviewed and policy response and implementation strategies are suggested. Presently, the hazards of ASM seem to outweigh its benefits in Nasarawa State and generally in Nigeria. However, ASM could make a sound socio-economic and environmentally friendly impact in Nigeria if the operators, stakeholders, authorities, government, financial institutions, donor agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGO) would make concerted efforts to regulate, guide, improve and encourage the industry.