Strengthening the governance of environmental and social impacts in formal small-scale gold mining operations in Uganda

We consider the formal small-scale gold mining (SSGM) sector in Uganda, examining how governance could be improved to reduce social and environmental impacts and increase benefits to local communities. Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is an important livelihood strategy across Sub-Saharan Africa, especially for gold. In Uganda, ASM mostly occurs by small formalised and regulated companies and cooperatives (SSGM). Nevertheless, SSGM (like ASM) is still associated with environmental and social harm. Although Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) are prepared to mitigate risks from mining, their effectiveness in SSGM is limited. Based on qualitative field research in Uganda (community group discussions, expert interviews, observations) and by analysing eight ESIAs for SSGM projects, we consider how weaknesses in policy, governance, and institutional capacity undermine the ‘do no harm’ (social safeguard) and ‘do good’ (social investment, community development, benefit sharing) intentions of ESIA. We found that fragmented institutional responsibilities, inadequate community engagement, weak enforcement, and marginalisation of social considerations in ESIA contribute to physical displacement, economic displacement, disruption to people’s livelihoods, health risks, gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH), and social conflict. These negative outcomes are not isolated failures but are indicative of systemic flaws in the governance of SSGM. We provide recommendations to strengthen ESIA as a governance tool, including: enhance community participation; integrate livelihood and gender considerations into ESIA and policy; improve coordination; and implement adaptive management. Strengthening ESIA and governance arrangements are essential if the SSGM sector is to contribute to equitable and sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa.