Mining & Trade News

The role of the military in mining sector in many countries has been primarily seen as a means of securitization of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector. In many cases, the military have been used as part of state-led efforts to prevent informal mining and smuggling of minerals. In a bigger picture worldwide, military has been used to span mine clearance, for tactical purposes and for humanitarian demining, providing security for mining sites, and manage valuable mineral resources. In other countries, former military personnel also transition into civilian mining roles thereby bringing valuable skills to the industry.  All in all, the main task of a military is usually defined as defence of the state and its interests against external armed threats.

1.Selected cases of Tanzania, Ghana and Malawi

Military involvement in mining can also be viewed as part of broader strategies of the state to promote industrialization, through state-owned enterprises (SOE). An example in Tanzania is that involvement of military in mining coincided with a government turn towards resource nationalism. In Tanzania, there are theoretical frameworks that are based on three elements; securitization of the mining sector, the nature of civil–military relations, and the nature of military involvement in the mining sector. There is a direct and official involvement of military actors in mining production activities during peacetime; for example, in managing mining activities at extraction sites, providing security in and around mines, and participation in governance institutions in the mining sector. However, there have been military involvement in mining which coincided with a government turn towards resource nationalism, and that military involvement was linked to discourses and practices in Tanzania. Thus, the military is involved in direct and official involvement of military actors in mining production activities during peacetime; for example, in managing mining activities at extraction sites, providing security in and around mines, and participation in governance institutions in the mining sector.

In Ghana the government took an effort to eliminate unlicensed artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) popularly referred to as ‘galamsey’. At a time when donors and other governments in sub-Saharan Africa are working diligently to identify ways to formalize ASM and to integrate the sector into broader economic and rural development frameworks, the government of Ghana turned to its military and police to combat illegal activity. The result was alleged military brutalities against illegal gold miners and malicious destruction of confiscated excavators and other mining equipment that became very common. Footage of such excesses by the military was on many occasions captured on videos and shown on national television. Yet, despite the aggressive posture of the military to combat these illegal activities, the country has rather witnessed a surge in the phenomenon.

In Malawi, the military's primary role in mining is security and enforcement, specifically to combat illegal mining and protect mineral resources from smuggling. While there have been calls to deploy the Malawi Defence Force to establish camps and control illegal activities, mining experts have the view that this approach should be balanced with effective civilian management. This was a reaction to where in some cases previously, the military had been involved in raids and crackdowns on illegal mining sites, such as Namizimu Forest in Mangochi District. To avoid such actions, the Malawi government initiated the signing of an MOU in 2023 that was expected to enhance security of the mining industry from the illegal miners and also ease smuggling of minerals and gemstones. At the signing of this MOU, the Ministries of Mining and Defence agreed to promote and safeguard mines. Malawians were the assured that the military will carry out joint activities with Ministry of Mining in safeguarding minerals by curbing illegal mining and help to enforce sustainable mining practices from both artisan and large-scale miners.

2. What should the Malawi government do?

•  Provide the Military with the required resources, training and operational independence devoid of any form of political interference to safeguard the minerals.   
• Involve residents within local mining communities affected by ASM activities to cooperate in providing the military with timely information on these activities. 
• Initiate cooperation and coordination among all the relevant stakeholders in the mining sector although in many contexts, local military forces are reluctant to accept coordination or instruction from a civilian authority 
• Of late, the active participation of some foreign nationals in Malawi, particularly Chinese operators especially in the gold mining sector has turned ASM activities into highly organized groups who are equipped with mechanised and efficient mining equipment and various weapons to safeguard their activities. As a result, there is need to closely monitor environmental impacts to the surrounding communities. This must be checked and the military should work hand in hand with the communities. 
• Engage the military in strategic resource nationalism process in future.

Leave a Comment

Comments