East Guji
Alinea International
The artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector is a significant contributor to global gold production and an emerging catalyst for economic development in Africa. According to various reports by the World Bank, the IISD (Report of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development. Published by IISD, Winnipeg, Canada 2021), artisanal and small-scale mining has emerged as one of the most important extractive sectors in the country in terms of employment. It is estimated that approximately three million people in Ethiopia depend on artisanal mining for livelihoods. However, the sector is largely informal and under-mechanized, which contributes to the poor performance, health and social problems often associated with artisanal gold mining. Project Description Funded by Global Affairs Canada, and managed by Alinea International LTD, the Strengthening Education for Mining (STEM) project aims to increase the number of Ethiopian men and women with relevant skills and qualifications for work in the mining sector.  The project’s goals are to strengthen university and technical vocational institutional capacity to produce skilled and qualified graduates that have relevant technical and environmental skills and knowledge for the mining sector; to improve the instructional capacity of university/ Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET )instructors; and to ensure that artisanal mining cooperatives and community members, especially women living in and around mining sites, have the appropriate skills and abilities to benefit from employment opportunities resulting from mining activities. Project and Contract Period The STEM project is a six-year project, in operation from January 2017 to April 2023. The position of expert in the development of artisanal and small-scale mining is a short-term technical assignment for up to 75 days with a significant number of days spent in-field in Ethiopia between November 2021 and June 2022. It is expected that several visits to Ethiopia will be required over this period. LEVEL OF EFFORT: Up to a maximum of 75 days (November 2021 – June 2022) Scope of Work The ASM Expert will be responsible for providing technical expertise on artisanal and small-scale mining extraction methods and practices. This position will assess current practices of the artisanal gold mining cooperatives in East Guji, Oromia and identify sustainable changes, including mineral identification, and an appropriate level of mechanization that has the potential to increase the percentage of gold recovery and miners working conditions. Environmental and health and safety issues will also be addressed. The position will provide technical advice, coaching, mentoring and delivery of practical hands-on training demonstrations to build the capacity of STEM partners from the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP) Zonal (regional) and Woreda (municipal) levels, and from the TVET Shakiso community college. The ASM Expert will develop ASM training modules and provide training to STEM partners that will subsequently train the artisanal mining cooperatives. Working closely with other members of the STEM Team, this position will support the overall project outcomes in TVET and community program areas. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES The ASM Expert will report to the Field Director and will work closely with the Mining Zonal Bureau in Negele and with the Shakiso Woreda Mining Bureau. Specific Duties In collaboration with staff of the East Guji Mining Bureaus, conduct assessment of artisanal mining sites and of artisanal gold mining cooperative operations to identify environmental and health & safety issues, and operational and productivity problems.Recommend solutions and changes in mining processes, mechanization of operations, material and equipment that will allow increased gold recovery, and validate them with the Mining Zonal Bureau and STEM.Prepare a list of material and equipment to be procured and identify suppliers.Develop outcome-based training modules to address knowledge, skills and competencies required by artisanal gold mining cooperatives to successfully manage the more advanced mechanized mining processes introduced and efficiently use the new material and equipment. Incorporate indigenous knowledge and practice with current mining industry knowledge and practice. Incorporate all relevant federal, regional and woreda level mining regulations in the training modules.Develop hands-on practical learning activities to teach learners to identify characteristics of rocks and minerals, geological formations, structures, and deposition processes. Explain and demonstrate purpose and use of methods, equipment and technologies. Identify safe transportation, handling, use, storage and maintenance of equipment and tools. Review and revise/develop appropriate occupational health & safety procedures and learning activities and use of personal protective equipment. Develop learning material aimed at addressing mining site rehabilitation practice and environmental enhancement, protection, and mitigation methods.Develop a User Manual for the maintenance and small repairs of equipment and material procured.Provide ToT to geologists and technicians of East Guji Mining Bureaus and to Shakiso TVET trainers Monitor the first delivery of ASM training to a gold mining cooperative by MoMP geologists and technicians and provide feedback. Participate in meetings (e.g. information meetings, workshops, training etc.)Other duties as assigned.  Deliverables Monthly progress reports to the STEM Field DirectorAssessment and recommendations report for the development of artisanal mining operations in East GujiList of material and equipment to procure - validated by the Zonal Mining Bureau and STEM Field Director, and identification of suppliers Up to 15 illustrated training modules for delivery of training to ASM cooperatives including trainee guides, trainer guides and field training material (plasticized posters etc.)Guide(s) on maintenance of material, equipment, and tools procured.