Shoko, Dennis S. M. 2002. "Small-Scale Mining and Alluvial Gold Panning Within the Zambezi Basin: An Ecological Time Bomb and Tinderbox for Future Conflicts Among Riparian States." Presented at "The Commons in an Age of Globalisation," the Ninth Conference of the International Association for the Study of Common Property, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, June 17-21, 2002.

Abstract

"Small scale mining, and particularly alluvial panning of minerals, is a relatively new informal economic activity, which has been sweeping across the globe in the past two decades. The haphazard nature of the activity and its intense dependence on water for the panning process and firewood for fuel has resulted in uncontrolled siltation of rivers and other water reservoirs as well as rampant deforestation. The Zambezi Basin, with some of its fragile ecosystems and endangered species, has and is being negatively impacted upon by small scale and alluvial panning activities. Transboundary natural resources, including water and biological resources are at the receiving end of these activities. Flooding events (two in as many years in Mozambique and parts of South Africa - 2000 and 2001) have been largely blamed on siltation as well as climate change. The fact that the activities are more prominent in some countries than others is likely to cause tension and/or conflict between and among riparian states of the Zambezi Basin. The conduct of these operations as common property enterprises is suggested with appropriate modifications of the legal and institutional framework incorporating traditional and customary governance structures."