International Council for Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ICASM)

The growing recognition of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) as a key driver for sustainable development was crystallised in the Mosi-oa-Tunya Declaration on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining, Quarrying, and Development, a landmark outcome from the international ASM conference held in Livingstone, Zambia, in September 2018. The declaration called for urgent action to strengthen the representation of ASM workers, especially at the global level.

Inspired by the meaning of Mosi-oa-Tunya—the "Smoke That Thunders," named after the majestic Mosi-oa-Tunya Falls—we envisioned a similarly resounding voice for ASM miners on the global stage. Our goal: ensuring that we as miners are treated as decision-makers, not bystanders, in shaping the policies that affect our lives and livelihoods.

The idea for an international body to represent ASM workers gained momentum after the World Bank's "Business Unusual: What Future for ASM Post-COVID-19?" Conference, held in Nairobi in December 2022. There, ASM leaders began formulating plans for a united global front to advocate for miners’ rights and participation in key decision-making processes.

After months of dialogue, on September 2, 2024, 21 ASM leaders from regions spanning Africa (English, French, and Swahili-speaking), Latin America, and Southeast Asia & the Pacific convened for the first International Council for ASM (ICASM) workshop. A working group was tasked to consultation with leaders of ASM associations globally and draft the council’s vision, mission, principles, membership, and governance structure—laying the foundation for a global organisation that represents the voices of miners.

In 2024, the world’s increasing appetite for minerals such as cobalt, lithium, manganese, graphite, and copper led to the creation of the UN Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. For the first time, ASM representatives had the chance to provide critical input through like Delve Exchange platform. This marked a pivotal opportunity for ASM communities to participate in shaping global mineral policies—a role that can now be amplified through ICASM.

On September 12, 2024, UN Secretary-General António Guterres released the final report of the UN Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, which featured a powerful call to action. In Actionable Recommendation 4, the report highlights the need to empower artisanal and small-scale miners, emphasising that any meaningful transformation must be driven by miners themselves. It also underscores the critical role of the newly formed ICASM in ensuring that ASM voices are central to these transformative efforts.