Preface

This technical handbook on small-scale mining in developing countries is the result of a supra-regional Technical Cooperation project conducted by the Federal Republic of Germany. The objective of the project was to develop needs-oriented technologies by reviewing existing technical and economic documentation on process problems and their solutions. This analysis, which focuses by way of example on the Andean states, has been conducted by Projekt-Consult GmbH on behalf of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH.

The contents of the publication “Tools for Mining" were presented to the participants of a seminar on small-scale mining held for SADC countries in Livingstone, Zambia, in February 1991, and it immediately became evident that the problems of smallscale mining in Africa and the Far East do not differ substantially from those encountered in the Andean countries. First published in Spanish, the interest shown in an English edition was such that the GTZ decided to publish an English-language version.

For many people in the Andean states of Latin America, small-scale mining is the mainstay of their income. The small mines, most of which employ less than ten persons, operate under exceptionally hard conditions. Indeed, their manual techniques are reminiscent of engineering in Europe prior to the industrial revolution. The low productivity level leads to extremely low wages, often poor safety conditions and social problems. In addition, small-scale mining frequently causes serious environmental pollution.

This publication aims to provide smallscale miners with technical alternatives. These technical innovations are intended as a comprehensive approach to the problems of small-scale mining, endeavouring as they do to improve the microeconomic, macroeconomic, social and ecological outputs. The handbook deals with analysis, mining activities, beneficiation and energy, and contains hints on technical issues and work organisation. It also includes information about historical mining machinery - which is comprehensively documented in Central Europe - modern, small-scale mining equipment and traditional techniques. By merging historical, modern and traditional elements, a basis is generated for developing appropriate technology in line with actual needs. Although only limited documentation was available concerning locally developed, traditional techniques in the small-scale mining sector in Africa and Asia, the handbook is nonetheless suitable for global use as the techniques described can be implemented everywhere, thus making a major contribution to technology transfer and innovations in small-scale mining outside Latin America too.

The strategy of local production and implementation of socio-culturally, economically and ecologically appropriate technology on which this handbook is based has already proven its feasibility and its worth many a time in the field.