As part of the IGF’s ongoing collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Secretariat co-organized a workshop to advance the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in the region. This workshop built on an earlier session held in April 2024 in Bali, which explored how better integration of ASM into the broader economy can support sustainable mining development and enhance environmental, health and safety, and socio-economic outcomes across the sector.
The full-day workshop aimed to identify feasible policy and regulatory approaches to develop a regional framework for ASM formalization. All ASEAN member states, along with observer Timor-Leste, discussed the challenges with implementing existing regulations, offered strategies to address these challenges, and outlined recommendations. The event also included thematic presentations and moderated discussions with ASM experts, including:
- Murtiani Hendriwardani, Policy Advisor and ASEAN Coordinator, IGF
- Jonathan Hamisi, Senior Policy Advisor, IGF
- Shaokai Fan, Head of Asia Pacific and Global Head of Central Banks, World Gold Council
- William Davis, Economic Advisor, IGF
- Ekpen Omonbude, Senior Policy Advisor, IGF
- Hendra Gunawan, Director of Engineering and Environment of Minerals and Coal, Indonesia
- Edward Shabani, Senior Planner, Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Republic of Zambia
The workshop will inform an upcoming publication titled Artisanal and Small-scale Mining Activities in ASEAN: Challenges and Formalization Journey. The report will consolidate key insights, challenges, and recommendations discussed during the workshop and serve as a policy reference for advancing ASM formalization across the region.