Small-scale gold mining: Bottlenecks and structural impediments for realising the SDGs
Abstract
The profound tension between immediate economic survival and long-term ecological preservation defines the complex sustainability landscape of small-scale gold mining in North Central Nigeria. This study interrogates the critical bottlenecks and structural impediments hindering the sector’s transition from a small-scale survivalist activity into a robust driver of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By analysing contemporary field practices and localized contextual factors embedded within this ancient socio-cultural activity, the research unpacks the multifaceted barriers to sustainability across economic constraints, social dynamics, and environmental degradation. Utilizing a rigorous, “deep-dive systematic methodology,” an initial database of 197,391 articles was screened through a systematic funnelling process and targeted manual selection. This interdisciplinary analysis synthesizes the “three-pillar constraints” that obstruct the meaningful integration of the Sustainable Development Goals within the Nigerian small-scale gold mining sector. The findings offer actionable, evidence-based insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and local communities, emphasizing the necessity of tailored regulatory frameworks and collaborative governance models. Ultimately, this research bridges the gap between global sustainability targets and regional survivalist realities. It concludes by developing an original conceptual matrix of Parameters Recommended for Policy Optimisation, providing a strategic blueprint to dismantle structural barriers and advance sustainable development outcomes.
Document Type: Review
Cited as: Ogan, D.D., Moses, T., Yenneti, K. Small-scale gold mining: Bottlenecks and structural impediments for realising the SDGs. Sustainable Earth Resources Communications, 2026, 2(2): 66-79. https://doi.org/10.46690/serc.2026.02.02
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46690/serc.2026.02.02Keywords:
Gold, mining, gold mining, sustainable gold mining, small-scale gold mining, artisanal gold mining, sustainable development goals, SDGs, NigeriaReferences
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Copyright (c) 2026 Deinsam Ogan, Tochukwu Moses, Komali Yenneti
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