Artisanal and Smal Scale Mining

Goldlake actively engages with artisanal and small scale miners (ASM) in and around our concessions. In many cases, ASM is an illegal activity, and, in most cases, informal. As part of our commitment to working with our neighbouring communities, we will support ASM communities to establish legal organizations and encourage them to work within the formal mining sector. As well, we will help where we can to improve their productivity and build legitimate, safe and environmentally well managed community businesses.

At our Euocantera project in Honduras, we will continue our partnership with ASM co-operatives using traditional environmentally-safe, mercury-free methods. Two thirds of Eurocantera’s gold production is from our mine’s commercial operations and the balance is extracted by independent local artisanal miners that operate inside our concessions.

Since the beginning of our operation our relationship with the artisanal miners has been based on trust, sharing a common goal for the growth of the mine, and collaborating on achieving mutually agreed production targets. We aim to replicate this business model where possible at future gold mining operations.
 

Sinking wells to access potable water	The entrance road to the mine	Church of Santa Barbara