Situation Analysis of the Artisanal Diamond Mining
in the Western Region of Liberia

September 2017
Diamonds for Peace

Situation Analysis of the Artisanal Diamonds Mining in the Western Region of Liberia

Front Cover Image: Artisanal Diamond Mining in Mano River Congo, Grand Cape Mount County

Acknowledgements:
This survey has been supported by LUSH Japan Co., Ltd.

The team would like to express its gratitude to all the interviewees in Liberia who answered questions tothe best of their knowledge, including: the local mining authorities who welcomed the team, offered thenecessary information, shared their views and took the team to their diamond mining claims; the officers
at the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy in Liberia who let the team conduct the survey, welcomed theteam on the ground, and provided the team with their knowledge and shared their views; the officers at
Cooperative Development Agency in Liberia who provided the team with information and knowledge andlet the team observe some of their activities; as well as other organizations which willingly provided theteam with information.

If you have an inquiry, please send an email to: info@diamondsforpeace.org

Copyright © Diamonds for Peace 2017 All Rights Reserved2

Contents
Abbreviation ................................................................................................................................................. 4
About Diamonds for Peace ........................................................................................................................... 5
The Objectives of the Situation Analysis ..................................................................................................... 6
Objectives ................................................................................................................................................. 6
Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Methodology .............................................................................................................................................. 13
Methodology .......................................................................................................................................... 13
Limitations.............................................................................................................................................. 17
Definition of Terms .................................................................................................................................... 18
Major Findings ........................................................................................................................................... 19
1.

General Information on Artisanal Diamond Mining in the Western Region of Liberia ................. 19

2.

Reality of Artisanal Diamond Mining on the Ground .................................................................... 25
Basic information on the interviewees: .............................................................................................. 25
Economic Reality of Artisanal Diamond Mining ............................................................................... 31
Issues at the Artisanal Diamond Mining Claims ................................................................................ 38
Issues in Formalizing the Artisanal Diamond Mining Sector ............................................................. 39
Voluntary Activities in the Artisanal Diamond Mining Communities ................................................ 42

3.

Living Conditions of Miners, Diggers and Community Members ................................................ 46

4.

Cooperative Development Agency’s Roles and Activities ............................................................. 65

5.

Locally Available Options for Efficient Income Generation Activities.......................................... 69

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. 72
Key Lessons Learned for Inclusion when Designing Model Project.......................................................... 73
Tentative Plan of a Model Project .............................................................................................................. 76
Way Forward .............................................................................................................................................. 78
References .................................................................................................................................................. 80
Annex ......................................................................................................................................................... 81
Annex 1: List of DMCs in the western region of Liberia and Margibi County ...................................... 82
Annex2: Questions to miners and their answers ..................................................................................... 87
Annex 3: Questions to diggers and their answers ................................................................................... 92
Annex4: Questions to miners’ and diggers’ family members and other community members ............... 973

Abbreviation
CDA

Cooperative Development Agency

DFP

Diamonds for Peace

DMC

Diamond Mining Community

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency

GDO

Government Diamond Office

GIZ

German Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit

KPCS

Kimberley Process Certification Scheme

LISGIS

Liberia Institute of Statistics & Geo-Information Services

MLME

Ministry of Lands, Mines, and Energy

USAID

United States Agency for International Development

USDA

United States Department of Agriculture

UOF

Universal Outreach Foundation

4

About Diamonds for Peace
Diamonds for Peace (DFP) is a NGO officially registered in Yokohama City, Japan, established by thefounder, Chie Murakami, who visited Liberia in May 2014 and saw the need to make changes in the
diamond sector. The founder and board members have established a non-profit organization in Liberia,
Diamonds for Peace Liberia, in November 2016 which was accredited as a national NGO by the Liberian
government in April 2017.

DFP is working towards a world in which all the diamonds are mined, cut and processed with humanitarianand environmental considerations, meeting the following mission objectives:
1.

To improve the working conditions and social status of the workers in the diamond supply chain; and2.

To promote ethics and fairness in the diamond industry.

DFP focuses on three areas of operation in order to achieve the above mission:
1. Awareness-raising: To raise awareness of the problems and issues in the diamond industry.
2. Self-reliant support: To support the improvement of working conditions and the social status ofartisanal diamond workers in developing countries, through more self-reliant and collaborative
community efforts, including cooperatives, with a regional focus in Africa.
3. Emergency assistance: To provide assistance in the event of disasters or epidemics in the targetedcountries.

DFP considers Liberia as its first targeted country, estimating 100,000 artisanal diamond and gold miners1,
however, the artisanal mining sector is not formalized. The Ministry of Lands, Mines, and Energy (MLME)
in Liberia has developed the “Regulatory Roadmap for the Artisanal Mining Sector in Liberia” (Roadmap)
in 2016, its conceptual foundation aiming to formalize the sector.

DFP is planning to implement a model project to promote the artisanal diamond workers’ self-reliancethrough the basic tenets of fair trade by organizing them into cooperatives and running them democratically,in line with the Roadmap. In order to design the model project, DFP has collected information, visited thefield, conducted field surveys and met key stakeholders to understand the reality on the ground. This reportshows the findings from the above-mentioned activities that DFP conducted from August 2016 to March
2017.

1

World Bank (2012). Artisanal Mining in Critical Ecosystems. A Look at Gabon, Liberia and Madagascar.
https://www.profor.info/sites/profor.info/files/docs/ASM-brochure.pdf Accessed on 1st March 2017

5

The Objectives of the Situation Analysis
Objectives
DFP aims to design a model project which best suits their particular needs.

As such,the situation

analysis aims to carefully assess these need, with a view to meeting the following objectives: (i) better
understand the daily on-the-ground reality and challenges faced by the artisanal diamond miners, diggers,
their families and community members in both their work and personal spheres; (ii) learn about the typesof initiatives they have launched in order to solve their own problems, and (iii) improve their living
condition.

Artisanal diamond mining in Gbongor Village, Bomi County

6

Executive Summary
Reality of Artisanal Diamond Mining
In Liberia, MLME oversees mining activities through its decentralized regional and local mining agencies
which deploy mining agents and local MLME officers, to supervise the artisanal and small-scale mining.
The western region of Liberia has fourteen mining agencies. The predominant mineral regulated in nine ofthem is diamond. MLME issues three types of diamond mining licenses, that is, Class A for industrial
mining, Class B for small scale mining, and Class C for artisanal mining. Each license type sets out different
mining conditions and regulations (for further details see section on Major Findings, p. 19).

There are many Muslims in the western region. As such, the Muslim religion, combined with local
indigenous beliefs, influence people’s behavior and customs in artisanal diamond mining. For example, thework-week observes Friday as a day of rest and prayer, in line with Muslim tradition. It is a local custom
to make sacrifices, in the belief that this will help to increase the diamond yield.

Additionally, there aresome mining claims where women are not allowed to enter in the belief that their presence will negatively
impact the diamond yield.

Miners tend to live in the same community for more than 10 years—in fact, 78% of miner respondents lived
in the same mining town for over a decade. Diggers are a bit more mobile, 59% of them reported having
lived in the community of their current residence for over five years, with the remaining 41% having resided
in the same place for less than 5 years. Contrary to popular belief, which perceives diggers to be a highly
transient population, reflected in the oft-heard remark “diggers are constantly on the move,” a significant
number of diggers do in fact, tend to live in one community for several years at a time.

Miners’ and diggers’ ability to read and write English is very limited. About half of the miners and diggers
are illiterate. On the other hand, most miners and diggers interviewed had basic numeracy skills, and could
carry out basic math calculations (for further details see p. 29).
the majority were women.

In terms of those lacking numeracy skills,

As such, women are in a particularly vulnerable situation, given that a

successful negotiation of prices and acquiring a fair share of profits is dependent, among other factors, onthese skills.

Diggers do not receive daily wages. They receive a part of the profit from the diamond sale, upon its
completion. The customary profit-sharing arrangement dictates that a miner take 50% of the profits fromthe sale and that the group of diggers take the other 50%, divided equally among the group members.

Insome DMCs, diggers are also responsible for paying 10% of their share to the cook responsible forpreparing the group’s meals, and another 10% for the engine oil and gasoline used to run the water pump.

The amount of diamonds recovered over the past year has been modest. 73% of miners and diggers said
they found diamonds smaller than ten carats in size, and about half of the miners and diggers reported thatthe total sales price of diamonds over the past year was less than USD1,000. Thus, translating to a low
7annual income. The median annual income for miners is USD1,044 and for diggers, it is USD300. As such,it is difficult for them to make a living exclusively from diamonds. In fact, the majority of miners anddiggers participate in other income-generating activities. Even with the additional income, the large
majority do not have any savings.

Many mining activities in the western region are artisanal and small-scale. The average number of diggers
under the direction of a miner is generally composed of an eight-person-team. The field research teamestimated the monthly cost of running the artisanal diamond mining activities with eight diggers to be
USD463.67.

The biggest issue as self-reported by both miners and diggers, is their inability to sell diamonds at a fair
price. Largely attributed to: 1) their inability to evaluate the market-value of diamonds; 2) the lack ofbargaining power; and 3) their dependence on supporters. In many cases, miners cannot afford to pay the
up-front cost to run mining activities in his/her own mining claims due to their low-level of income. As
such, miners ask supporters to bear the up-front cost. In return, they agree to sell their diamonds to them,at a lower than market-price. Supporters buy the diamonds at the lower prices arguing that they are carrying
the up-front costs for the mining. This creates a vicious cycle, whereby miners on an on-going basis areunable to pay the cost of mining their claims, due to the under-priced diamond-sales to supporters,
perpetuating a continuous reliance on them.

The biggest issues faced in mining claims, as self-reported by miners and diggers, are violence and theft.
The team heard about many cases of diamond thefts which resulted in violent fights. While the survey
included questions regarding human rights and environmental destruction as potential significant
challenges, few interviewees shared this view.

Overall, the interviews and conversations pointed to a widespread lack of trust among stakeholders in theartisanal diamond mining. Miners claim that diggers (are trying to) steal diamonds. Diggers criticize miners
and supporters for exploiting them. The main reasons for the trust-gap may be attributed to: 1) the lack ofa transparent and inclusive consultation process with all stakeholders, including diggers on the agreed price(as diamond sales are carried out in a closed-door meeting between the miner and the supporter—where
the two alone agree on the set price, and only afterwards inform diggers); 2) the lack of systematic recordkeeping—such as receipts which provide proof of diamond sales and can also serve to establish a more
systematic trail of their valuation informing future transactions); 3) the lack of a system of redress and/or a
support safety-net for diggers when injustices arise, with the exception of Bellekpalamu Town in Gharpolu
County which have a self-organized diggers’ group to discuss common issues and challenges, as well as
Zalekai Mining Agency in Gbarpolu County—where diggers are also organized; 4) and the lack of options
for additional income-generating opportunities which provide sustainable wages.

The majority of diamonds mined in Liberia seems to be either smuggled or sold on the black market.
Largely attributed to the fact that many miners are unable to renew their mining licenses because of a lack8

of funds, and thus unable to register the diamonds with GDO, barring their circulation in the formal market.
As such, those with expired licenses sell their diamonds to informal brokers. According to both miners anddiggers, it is very easy to sell diamonds without registering them with GDO.

67% of miners were aware of MLME’s policy to organize miners/diggers into cooperatives. On the other
hand, only 12% of diggers were aware of it. 61% of miners responded that they knew what a cooperative
was, but only 18% of diggers concurred. After the team explained the concept of a cooperative, 89% ofminers and 82% of diggers agreed that it would be a beneficial undertaking.

Although there are many issues in the artisanal diamond mining sector, there are some good practices thathave been devised by these communities to try and solve their own challenges. For example, the teamwitnessed: an annual mining meeting organized by a mining agency, a self-organized group of diggers in
Bellekpalamu Town, Gharpolu County, and a self-initiated school construction project.

Living Conditions of Miners’ and Diggers’ Family Members and of Other Community Members
89% of the interviewees were women. About half of them had never been to school and are unable to reador write English, the official language of Liberia.

All of them responded that they could do basic

mathematical calculations—a livelihood asset which allows them to run their small businesses.

On average, household size varies somewhere between five to eight family members. The majority ofhouseholds (57%) have two meals per day, while the rest have only one meal per day. Women are solely
responsible for meal-preparation. Their main staple food is rice. They use fuel-wood or charcoal for cooking.

About half of the respondents had school-aged children. However, two out of the six communities surveyed
do not have access to a primary school.

The most frequent diseases reported to have ailed respondents during the past year were malaria andfever/cough/diarrhea. 97% of the respondents had visited a medical facility when sick. In terms ofaccessibility of care2, 26% of the respondents were more than two hours away from a health-care facility,
while the rest was less than two hours away—with 21% being more than 10 minutes away but less than 30
minutes and 10% having a facility just 10-minutes away from home.

Overall, these communities tend to be highly under-served in terms of infrastructure.

80% of theinterviewees did not have access to electricity. They depend on flash lights or Chinese lamps (similar but
bigger than flash lights). There is also a big gap in terms of access to sanitation facilities as well—63% of
the respondents void outside and 65% of them calculate that the distance to their voiding place is less than
300 meters. 13% had either private or shared access to either a flush or pour-flush facility connected to a
septic tank, and the rest a mix of access to hanging toilets, hanging latrines or pit latrines.
2

Please note that 3% of respondents did not know the distance to the closest health facility.
are available on p. 60.

9In terms of

Details on health-related responses

access to water, 70% get drinking water from hand pumps, while 27% get their water from a nearby
river/lake/pond. About three-quarters (74%) have access to a water source located less than 300 metersfrom their home. In terms of water safety, 69% drink water treated with chlorine and 29% drink untreatedwater.

40% of the respondents own land in the community where they live, while 51% do not. 60% have livestockand 87% raise chickens. Among those who raise chickens, 38% have small flocks composed of one to fivechickens and 33% have slightly larger flocks composed of six to ten chickens.

There was no mobile phone network in the majority of the communities that the team visited. More thanhalf of the respondents had mobile phones and radios. Very few had smart phones. 85% of respondents get
their news and information from friends/acquaintance, and 13% of them from radio programs.

For entertainment, most people in these communities, enjoy playing soccer and/or watching soccer, anddancing at clubs. The team often encountered boys and men playing soccer across these communities.

Poverty is rampant.

In terms of annual household income: about a third (29%) of the respondents reported

that their households earned nothing, 23% were unsure, 18% reportedly earned USD100 or less, 14%
between USD101-300, 6% had earnings estimated between USD301 and 600, and a small minority of 11%
earned more than USD2,000/annum. For the interviewees, the idea of annual household income is a foreign
concept due to their daily struggle to meet urgent subsistence needs, without the assurance of a daily wage.
In terms of monthly income reported for October 2016, which is part of the dry season, and therefore
positively characterized by higher earnings in comparison to the rainy season, it was equivalent to USD26
to USD50 for 20% of respondents, for another 20% it was estimated to be between USD101 to USD300,
17% earned USD25 or less, 14% earned zero, another 14% were unsure or unwilling to report, 6% earned
between USD51-100, another 6% had earnings over USD1,000, and 3% earned between USD301-600. The
dry season is characterized favorably, in terms of income, because small businesses gain vibrancy inresponse to the increased demand around the bustling activities generated by mining. On the other hand,during the rainy season, mining is dormant, flooding and bad road conditions prevail, making transportdifficult, and the prices of goods increase, thus decreasing sales. The main household expense cited is food,with 33% of respondents spending between USD76 to USD100 on food per month and 37% spending
somewhere between USD101 to USD250.

Over two-thirds (71%) of respondents did not think the artisanal diamond mining activities benefitted theircommunities. Half (50%) expressed concern that their communities were in fact disadvantaged by mining.
Some benefits cited were the payment raised (a part of the profit or in-kind donation) for the town chiefbased on the amount of production, and that the cook for the diggers could receive a share of the profits.
On the other hand, the disadvantages reported included: (i) the inflow of workers from outside thecommunity; (ii) the lack of interest by workers in community development; (iii) the flight of workers to thecapital city once they find diamonds and their eventual return only once they are left penniless; and (iv) the10

prevalence of theft in mining claims and/or the community.

54% of respondents belonged to some kind of resident association. These were mostly financial associations
referred to as “SUSU,”—savings clubs that help members financially through an informal means ofcollecting and saving money. Other associations mentioned included: community watch-dog groups thatprevent crimes, agricultural groups, and tribal groups. When respondents were asked to describe activities
that they had undertaken to improve their own and their families’ well-being, they mentioned coming
together as a community to construct a school, and giving lessons to children. These responses signal to theteam that it is possible that residents cooperate with one another on mutually beneficial endeavors to
improve their living conditions.

Roles and Activities of CDA
CDA is a Liberian government agency that encourages workers to self-organize and its responsibilities
include providing: (i) guidelines and procedures for initiating a cooperative; (ii) capacity-strengthening andtraining for cooperatives; (iii) cooperative monitoring and oversight to ensure that they are abiding by thelaw; and (iv) support and advice, as necessary.

In order to establish a cooperative, a minimum of 15

members are needed of which one-fourth must be female. When CDA confirms that a cooperative is running
its activities properly for a given period of time, it is provided with an official permit, granting it“cooperative” status for life.

Proposed Activities for Efficient Income Generation and Reduced Mining Related Costs
To have fair diamonds in the future, it is necessary to break the cycle of dependence on supporters. The key
to breaking this cycle, is to raise miners’ and diggers’ income sufficiently so that they may sustain theirmining activities on their own, which can be achieved by both reducing their mining costs and providingthem with an additional income-generating activity. The team researched options, and considers beekeeping
as an efficient income generation activity and Nerica (New Rice for Africa) farming as a viable way to
reduce mining related costs.

Regarding beekeeping, the more honey the beekeepers harvest, the more income they can access because
supply has not yet met neither domestic nor international demand. Furthermore, beekeeping needs only 10
dedicated minutes per week for tending the beehives, after the initial set-up. Since there is a NGO which
provides beekeeping training and the necessary follow-up at a reasonable price, it is a viable option as anadditional income generating activity for miners and diggers.

In terms of reducing mining-related costs, the team considers that miners could grow their own rice, which
was calculated to amount to USD119—about a quarter (26%) of the total cost (USD463.67) for sustaining
an average 8-person team of diggers in the area.

The team considers Nerica (New Rice for Africa) as one

option, as this hybrid crossbred African and Asian rice, is strong in withstanding disease and dryness, andproduces high yields.

Additionally, there is an organization named CHAP experimenting with Nerica,

which provides trainings in Liberia. According to CHAP, the productivity of Nerica in Liberia is about four11

MT per ha. CHAP provides two-year trainings, focusing on basic skills in the first year and advanced skillsin the second year.

The only challenge, is that farmers need to buy a USD5,000 imported machine which

has dual cultivation/weeding functionality. If DFP’s project incorporates the Nerica farming activity, it isnecessary to consider options for the cooperative to purchase this machine and use it sustainably.

Input into Project Design
The team recommends that DFP consider and incorporate the following into the project design:
1.

Break the cycle of dependence on supporters

2.

Include the leaders of diggers as members of a cooperative3.

Encourage diggers to organize themselves and to hold their own regular activities

4.

Provide practical strategies for making record-keeping a habit, and clearly communicate its benefits(i.e. helpful in standardizing diamond valuation)

5.

Raise awareness and understanding by miners/diggers on the benefits of registering diamonds withGDO

6.

Raise awareness and understanding by miners and diggers on the benefits of a cooperative

7.

Set up economic incentives for members of a cooperative

8.

Use the existence/progress of self-initiated community projects as an indicator

9.

Communicate the project’s benefits clearly through awareness-raising campaign

10. Think about sustainability when the project is completed and exit strategy when all the diamonds are
exhausted in the community

Project’s Tentative Plan
The team proposes the following tentative plan for a model project to promote miners’ and diggers’ selfreliance through a fair diamond trade.
Overall Goal: Fair diamonds mined in the targeted diamond mining community located in the Western
Region of Liberia to be distributed in international markets.

Project Purpose: Miners and diggers increase their income and improve their living conditions byinstituting a structure that produces and distributes fair diamonds.



Outputs
Output 0: The project is ready to start.
Output 1: The targeted artisanal diamond mining community has a mining cooperative registered withGoL.
Output2: Capacity to run a democratic cooperative is developed.
Output 3: Traceability from mine to market is created.
Output 4: Fair price and practices for maintaining it are introduced.
Output 5: The Project’s progress is publicized.

12

Methodology
Methodology
The team conducted the survey in English utilizing the methodology described below.

1.

Preliminary Information Gathering

DFP selected Margibi, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount and Bomi Counties to conduct the survey which arelocated mainly in the Western Region of Liberia, as MLME had indicated this geographic area to be its
priority for organizing artisanal diamond workers into cooperatives, under the Roadmap.

As indicated in the table below, poverty rates in the counties of the western region (Gparpolu, Grand Cape
Mount and Bomi Counties) are higher than the national average according to the household survey resultsfrom 2014, conducted by the Liberia Institute of Statistics & Geo-Information Services (LISGIS). Therefore,
DFP considers it of particular importance to implement a model project in the western region of Liberia
and support workers’ self-reliance, as they are among the most vulnerable, by encouraging them to organize
into cooperatives.

Counties Selected and Rationale for Selection
CountyReason of Selection

Margibi County

Proximity to the capital city Monrovia

Gbarpolu County

Prioritized in the Roadmap. The ratio of poverty
is high.

Grand Cape Mount County

Ditto

Bomi County

Ditto

Poverty Rates
RegionRatio of Absolute Poverty

Ratio of Extreme Poverty

Absolute Poverty: state that the minimum

Extreme Poverty: the total expenditure ofneeds of food and essential items are notfood and other items is less than the cost of

satisfied.

minimum food requirement.

National Average

54.1%

18.5%

Western Region

66%

24.3%

(Gbarpolu, Grand Cape
Mount,

andBomi

Counties)
Source: Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2014, Statistical Abstract, March 2016 3

3

Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), Household Income and Expenditure Survey
2014, Statistical Abstract, March 2016 http://microdata.worldbank.org/index.php/catalog/2563/download/37616
Accessed on 3rd May 201713

Geographic Location of the Selected Counties

Monrovia
The capital city

Source: d-maps.com (http://www.d-maps.com/)

DFP’s coordinator visited some mining agents’ offices and some local mining authorities in those counties
to collect their basic information and characteristics of the Diamond Mining Communities (DMCs) andthen proceeded to make a list of DMCs in those four counties.

However, it should be noted that the

information provided was only partial—as not all miners were willing to disclose full and complete
information.

DFP selected six DMCs for the field visits and survey, as shown below.

The selection

criteria attempted to include a combination of communities varying in population size (from small to large),
with variance in religious make-up (including communities with more homogenous vs. more heterogenous
religious affiliation), a range of ethnic and tribal diversification (ranging from homogenous to moreheterogenous communities), and a mixed prevalence of predominant minerals (selecting some communities
where only diamonds were mined and others where both diamonds and gold were mined).

14

6 DMCs Selected for the Survey
No.

CountyName of
MiningAgencyPredominantMineralName of DMC

Estimated
Populationof DMC

Estimated
population of
ARTISANAL
minersEstimated
populationof Diggers

TribesReligion

1

Margibi

KakataDiamond

AB Anderson(Known as
Taylor's Farm)

300

1

2

Kpelleh

Christianity

2

Gbarpolu

ZalekaiDiamond

Bellekpalamu

2000

30

100+

Kpelleh,Mandingo

Islam,
Christianity

3

Grand Cape
Mount

Varguay

Diamond,Gold

Varguay

2500

10

30

Mende,Vai,
Gola

Islam,
Christianity

4

Grand Cape
Mount

Kwallahum

Diamond

Mano River
Congo

6,000+

50

700

Mende,Vai,
Gola

Islam,
Christianity

5

Bomi

Suehn
Mecca

DiamondGbongorVillage

800+

7

60

Gola

Islam,
Christianity

6

Bomi

Suehn
Mecca

Diamond

Balikan Town4

1000+

13

100+

Gola,
Mandingo

Islam

Information in the above table was collected before the field survey was conducted and thus may differ
from the information collected during the field survey.

2.

Field Survey

The team paid visits to the above six DMCs from the end of October to the middle of November 2016. In
the field, the team carried out the following activities:

2-1. Information gathering from mining related personnel, included the following: regional coordinators,
mining agents, mining chairmen, patrol men, and diggers’ group leaders.

2-2. Information gathering from leaders in DMCs such as town chiefs, chairladies and town elders.

2-3. Interviews with: a) miners, b) diggers, and c) their families, as well as other community members.
When the team arrived in a DMC, team members explained the purpose of their visit to town leaders andto the local mining authority and then requested that the mining chairman provide the names of all miners.
The team then made a list of all miners and numbered them, similar to lottery tickets, and then local people
randomly selected three tickets, ensuring a process of random selection.

After the selection of three miners, the team requested each miner to give all the names of diggers under
his employment, made a list of the diggers and numbered them, using the same lottery approach as above,and then local people randomly selected three tickets, once again, ensuring a process of random selection.

One team (including one Japanese and one Liberian) interviewed a) miners and b) diggers about diamondmining activities, and the other team (including one Japanese and one Liberian) interviewed c) their family
4

Balikan Town is geographically located in Grand Cape Mount County. However, the team puts it under Bomi
County because MLME classifies it under Suhen Mecca Mining Agency in Bomi County.

15

members about their living, health, and sanitary conditions, as well as on the effects of diamond mining
activities on their communities. In cases where their family members did not reside in the DMCs, the teaminterviewed women 18 years old or older living in the DMCs, and they were also chosen randomly.

The total number of people interviewed under each category is shown below.

The Number of Interviewees
Categorya)c)

The number of people interviewed

Miners18b) Diggers

17

Family members of miners and diggers

35

interviewed and women in DMCs
Total

70

2-4. Observance of the artisanal diamond mining sites.
The team visited the artisanal diamond mining sites in above six DMCs, with the exception of Gbongor
Village in Bomi County due to its inaccessibility—as team members lacked the proper gear to walk throughthe muddy bush. Between February and March 2017, the team paid field visits and included a large DMC.
In total, the team observed artisanal diamond mining sites in the following DMCs listed below.
Artisanal Diamond Sites Observed
Name of Mining#

CountyDMC

Scale*

AgencyAB Anderson
1

Margibi

Kakata(Known as Taylor's

Small

Farm)
2

Gbarpolu

Zalekai

Bellekpalamu

Medium3

Gbarpolu

Zalekai

YeamahSmall

4Grand Cape Mount

Varguay

Varguay

Small

5

Grand Cape Mount

Kwallahum

Mano River Congo

Medium6

Grand Cape Mount

Kwallahum

King Stone

Large

7

Bomi

Suehn Mecca

Balikan Town

Medium8

Bomi

Suehn Mecca

Sackie Town

Small

9

Bomi

Suehn Mecca

Gbongor Village

Small*The measures the artisanal mining sites in each DMC, based on the team’s observation.

3.

Information Gathering from Other Organizations

DFP paid visits to other organizations in Monrovia such as CDA, EPA and GIZ.

These agencies welcomed

DFP and supported its intention to start the model project in Liberia, offered some information andknowledge, and agreed to exchange ideas/views in the future.
16

Limitations
Given the low educational attainment of the majority of DMC residents, whereby most have not finishedprimary school and some have never attended a school at all, it was difficult for them to understand the
DFP mission, purpose of the field survey, and the concept of random sampling although all the miners anddiggers interviewed could speak English to some extent. It was challenging for miners’ and diggers’ family
members and women living in DMCs to understand English. In those cases, villagers helped interpret thequestions from English to their local languages.

In some DMCs, the mining chairmen only gave the team a partial list of miners, rather than disclosing all
the names, perhaps attempting to bias the sample with more positive input, or for other reasons notunderstood nor disclosed to the team.

Most interviewees answered all the questions to the best of their knowledge, but some miners refused toanswer some personal questions, such as annual income.

Therefore, the results of the field survey do not necessarily reflect the voices of all the miners and diggers
in the western region of Liberia.

17Definition of Terms
In this report, the authors use the below terms, as per the stated definitions.

Miner
A miner is a person who possesses (or is supposed to possess) a Class C License which allows him/her tocarry out artisanal mining. Some miners dig the land on their own, while others hire teams of diggers to dig
his/her mining claim.

DiggerPeople refer to diggers as “diamond boys” in the field. A digger is a person who digs the land in a quest for
diamonds.

BrokerA broker is a middleperson who buys diamonds from miners or supporters and sells them to a dealer. A
broker needs a license from MLME to officially operate.

Dealer
A dealer is an exporter who exports diamonds abroad. In order to officially operate, a dealer needs a licensefrom MLME. Dealers are not allowed to visit diamond mining areas.

Supporter
A supporter is a person who provides miners and diggers with tools/meals/overall up-front costs needed to
run the mining activities. In return, a supporter claims his ownership of a diamond mined in a mining claim
he supports. In many cases, supporters are brokers.

18

Major Findings
The team would like to present the major findings, observation and analysis as follows.

1.

General Information on Artisanal Diamond Mining in the Western Region of Liberia

1-1. Mining Agencies
In Liberia, DMCs are grouped into mining zones which then constitute mining agencies. In the Western
Region, there are 14 mining agencies as shown in the table below. MLME assigns one mining agent peragency to oversee the artisanal and small-scale mining activities which fall under Class B and Class C
Licenses. (Please see next section below for more information).

Mining Agencies in the Western Region of Liberia#

CountyMining Agency

Predominant Mineral

1

Bomi

Suehn Mecca Mining Agency

Diamond, Gold2

Gbarpolu

Gbarma Mining Agency

Diamond3

Gbarpolu

Zalekai Mining Agency

Diamond

4

Gbarpolu

Weisuah Mining Agency

Diamond5

Gbarpolu

Kungbor Mining Agency

Diamond, Gold

6

Gbarpolu

Belleh Mining Agency

Gold

7

Gbarpolu

Henry Town Mining Agency

Gold

8

Gbarpolu

Bopolu Mining Agency

Gold

9

Grand Cape Mount

Kwallahun Mining Agency

Diamond, Gold

10Grand Cape Mount

Varguay Mining Agency

Diamond, Gold

11

Grand Cape Mount

Keita Mining Agency

Diamond, Gold

12

Grand Cape Mount

Bangoma Mining Agency

Gold

13

Grand Cape Mount

Camp Freeman and Timber Village

Diamond, Gold

Mining Agency
14

Montserrado

Bentol Mining Agency

Gold, Diamond

Source: Reported by MLME officers interviewed.

1-2. Licensesi)Diamond Mining Licenses:
MLME issues three types of diamond mining licenses, that is, Class A license, Class B license,and Class C license. In the case that a miner wants to mine both diamond and gold in one mining
claim, s/he needs to have the two pertinent diamond and gold mining licenses. Information on eachlicense is summarized in the table below.

19

Types of Diamond Mining Licenses
Type of License

License FeeClass A

USD35,000-Industrial diamond mining.

(Valid for one year, can be
renewed for 25 years)
Class B

Description

USD10,000-Granted to both individuals and companies.
-No nationality restrictions.
-Small to medium scale diamond mining.

(Valid for five years)-Use of heavy machinery allowed.
- Restricted eligibility to Liberian nationals and residents.
-Claim’s maximum area must be equivalent to less than
100 acres.

Class CUSD300 for a new license- Artisanal diamond mining.

USD150 for renewal- Use of heavy machinery not allowed.

(Valid for one year)- Access limited to alluvial deposits.
- Only Liberian nationals are eligible.
- Four license maximum per Liberian national.
- Claim’s minimum area must be equivalent to 500ft x
500ft, and its maximum 1,060ft x 1,060ft.

Source: Interviews with MLME Officers and UNDP (2008)5

ii)

Broker and Dealer Licenses

The broker’s role is to buy diamonds in mining towns, transport and sell them to dealers in Monrovia whothen export them to international markets. Dealers, according to national regulations, are not supposed tovisit the mining fields. Instead, dealers support brokers financially so that they can run their brokeragebusiness in mining towns. Brokers and dealers are supposed to have licenses to operate their businesses.
However, there are many black-market brokers who buy diamonds under covert operations. Information oneach type of broker and dealer license is summarized below.

Broker and Dealer Licenses
Type of

Annual License Fee

Description

USD1,500-Some brokers are based in mining towns but the majority are(Valid for one year)

based in Monrovia. They send their agents to mining towns toLicenseBrokerpurchase diamonds.
Dealer

USD25,000-GoL has a quota for a dealer to export, a minimum of(Valid for one year)

USD100,000 per quarter. Even if a dealer does not meet thequota, s/he is still liable to pay royalties equivalent to exportsof USD100,000.
-Since the cost and the quota are high, the number of officially5

Poverty and Social Impact Assessment and Strategy Formulation on Artisanal Diamond Mining Reform in Liberia, UNDP 200820

registered dealers is less than ten in Liberia.
-Only Liberian nationals are eligible for dealer licenses.
Foreign nationals can operate their business in a partnershipwith a Liberian national with a dealer license.
-Dealers are not allowed to visit the mining areas.
Source: Interviews with MLME Officers.

The team had opportunities to talk with brokers and found that some did not have the adequate tools toevaluate the diamonds. One broker with whom the team met, demonstrated his simple and traditional tools
including a scale, loupe and sieves, as shown in the photo below.

A Broker’s Tools

From left: digital scale, sieve, loupe

1-3. Government Diamond Office (GDO)
MLME allocates five Government Diamond Offices (GDOs) in the

Voucher Template

Western Region as shown in the table below. GDOs numbered 1 to 4
in the table are estimated by the team to be located in the center ofhigh diamond-yielding areas. GDO number 5 is located in the capital
city of Bomi County.

GDO also plays a role in evaluating the rough diamonds that miners
bring and issues a voucher certifying the carat and color of the
diamond.

The sequencing of the regulatory process, when following

the guidelines, is as follows—upon a sale, the miner submits a copyof the voucher to a broker, who then submits it to the dealer, who thenexports it with a Kimberley Process Certificate. A GDO officer told
the team that a miner could sell a diamond directly to a dealer insteadof a broker, once it is registered with GDO, which can potentially result in increased profits.

21

GDOs in the Western Region of Liberia#

Location

County1

Lofa Bridge

Grand Cape Mount

2

Mano River CongoGrand Cape Mount

3

WeasuaGbarpolu

4Camp Alfa

Gbarpolu

5

Tubmanberg

Bomi

Internal Control System of Diamonds in Liberia Posted at GDO

GDO officers work with simple tools. An officer demonstrated his tools to the team, including—a scale anda loupe as shown in the below photo, reporting that he does not have a diamond tester. He also told the teamthat an officer from MLME trained him to evaluate the diamonds. Given the current situation, the teamconsiders it very important to carry out a blanket evaluation of GDO officers and ensure that they are wellequipped with the right knowledge and adequate tools to provide solid assessments, offering needed reskilling, as required.

Another role GDO plays is to educate miners and raise
their awareness on the importance of registering
diamonds and in encouraging them to follow-throughwith registration. The team speculates that the majorityof diamonds miners recover are not registered with
GDOs.

During field visits, the team never saw any

miner visiting GDOs.
22

A scale and a loupe used at GDO

Approximate geographic locations of mining agencies and GDOs in the Western Region of Liberia

Kungbor
4
BangomaCamp Freeman
and Timber
Village

Weisua3

Keita

Zalekai
Bopolu2
Kwallahum
Varguay1
Gbarma5
Suehn Mecca
Bentol[Legend] Red Circle: Mining Agency, Green Circle: GDO

1-4. General Information on DMCs
There are no official statistics available for the population of artisanal diamond miners and diggers. Liberianteam members visited DMCs in the Western Region which were accessible by motorbike, and gathered therelevant information by interviewing mining agents, local mining authorities and community members
about the predominant minerals, estimated populations of miners and diggers, as well as to the affiliationof community members to tribes, religions, miners’ groups, diggers’ groups and self-help community
projects, as shown in the annex.

Please note that there are DMCs accessible only by foot and some ofthem are not reflected in the table.

1-5. Artisanal diamond mining stakeholders
The key stakeholders of artisanal diamond mining on the ground are the regional coordinators at theregional headquarters for the Western Region in Lofa Bridge, who report to the director of Mines at MLME
23

headquarters. Each mining agency has a mining agent and a patrol man—officers employed by the
MLME— and the general mining chairman, who represents all the mining chairmen across the different
DMCs liaising with MLME. Each DMC has a mining chairman and a patrol man, both of them are unpaid
volunteer, miners, and diggers called “diamond boys.” Their reporting responsibilities are detailed in the
figure below.

MLME allocates mining inspectors in the high-yielding areas. They play a substantial role in crackingdown on illegal mining and illegal brokers, and also monitor mining agents. They report to the regional
mining inspector who subsequently reports to the mining inspector general at MLME headquarters.

Figure: Reporting Responsibilities of Key Artisanal Diamond Stakeholders

Source: Interviews with MLME Officers

24

2.

Reality of Artisanal Diamond Mining on the Ground

Basic information on the interviewees:
2-1. Religion

Distribution of Population by Religious Affiliation in Liberia

According to the national population and housing
1%

0%

1%

census from 2008, 86% of the population is Christian12%

and 12% Muslim.

On the other hand, 67% of miners and 59% ofdiggers interviewed practice Islam, and 33% of86%miners and 41% of diggers practice Christianity.
This can be largely attributed to the fact that theChristianMuslim

Traditional

Other Religion

No Religion

majority of the population in the Western Region,
Source: 2008 Population and Housing Census, Republic of Liberia

especially in Grand Cape Mount County, is madeup of Vai people who practice Islam.

Miners’ and Diggers’ Religious Affiliation
Miners (n=18)

Diggers (n=17)0%0%Christianity

Christianity
33%

67%

41%

Islam

Islam

59%
Other
(specify)

Other(specify)

Islam combined with traditional indigenous beliefs significantly influence people’s behaviors in artisanal
diamond mining activities. For example, miners sacrifice goats and other animals periodically in the belief
that this will help them increase their diamond yield. A miner told the team that God would increase theamount of diamonds in the land if he is able to provide enough sacrifices. In some areas, women are notallowed to step in a mining claim in the belief that this will negatively impact the mining yield. According
to some miners’ statements, a woman entering the mining claim was considered as “Zina,” unlawful sexualintercourse, which would cause God’s anger and wrath, resulting in a decreased mining yield..

2-2. Migration
Miners largely tend to stay in one place, in fact 78% of the miners interviewed have lived in the samemining town for more than 10 years.—understandable given the investment required by a mining operation.
41% of diggers interviewed have lived in the same mining town for less than 5 years and 59% have lived
in the same mining town for over 5 years. Diggers tend to move a bit more frequently than miners. However,
the ratio of diggers who stay in one mining town for more than five years is higher than the team expected.
25

While some diggers stay in one town only for several months, the majority tend to stay much longer.

Number of Years S/he Has Lived in the Mining Town of Current Residence
Miners (n=18)

Diggers (n=17)
a < 5 years

a<10 years

17%
17%

10 ≦ a < 20 years

22%
11%

41%

12%

30 ≦ a < 40 years

17% 16%5 ≦ a < 10 years

18%

20 ≦ a < 30 years

10 ≦ a < 15 years

12%

40 ≦ a < 50 years

15 ≦ a < 20 years

17%50 ≦ a years20≦ a years

The team asked diggers how many times they had moved after

The Number of Times Diggers Have Moved
After Starting Diamond Mining (n=17)

starting diamond mining. 35% had never moved, 35% had

6%0 times

moved between one to three times, 24% four to six times, and
35%

24%

6% seven times or more. Contrary to what local people usually

1 times ~ 3 times
4 times ~ 6 times

say “diggers are constantly on the move,” the majority of35%
7 times ~diggers that the team interviewed do not move frequently.

Some diggers commute to another mining town once they are established in a certain place.

The team also asked diggers how many years they had worked

The Number of Years Diggers Have
Worked for the Current Employer (n=17)
6%

for their current employer (either a miner or a supporter
depending on the individual case.) 41% reported having

18%

Less than 1 year41%

1 year ~ 4 years

worked for less than one year for their current employer, 35%
5 years ~ 9 years

35%

one to four years, 18% five to nine years, and 6% for over 10

10 years ~years.

2-3. Reasons People Work as Miners/Diggers
The team asked miners and diggers why they chose this trade, and for the majority this was simply an
income-generating activity. Many had started working as diggers to get out of poverty. Some—this isespecially true about miners—are attracted to the trade due to the enticing possibility of fast money. The
team asked some diggers if they were willing to do another job, given that it could provide them with astable income. They were agreeable and demonstrated no particular attachment to mining. Thus, reflecting
the limited choice in income-generating activities, outside of mining.

Reasons People Work as Miners/Diggers
Miners-Diggers

It brings fast money.
Because all the land my family acquired is throughmining.
Started from age 4 therefore developed interest.
To help myself, God gives me the idea to mine diamonds.
First started buying gold, I was later encouraged by afriend to get involved with mining diamonds.

26-

Just to make a living.
To get experience from the diamond field.
Financial difficulty.
To get daily bread.
Poverty
Because I had no money, miner gave me ashovel.

-

Source of income for generations.
I want to develop my country.
To get money and send kids to school.
Instead of sitting here doing nothing, I wanted to earnmoney.
Because I am a citizen. I wanted to get a claim to support
my children.
Because I had land. If I don't mine, other people will mine
my land.
I am a mining chairman, and can't maintain my position
unless I own a mining claim.
Because I want more money.
Because mining can make people rich overnight.
I saw my mother in it, so I grew interest.
Mining is important to me, it is what I feel I can live by.
To help myself survive.

--

To get my own.
To look after myself.
I wanted money to support my children. I
studied and passed driving school but license
expired.
To go to school.
To get money. Citizens can mine.
Hard times
Only diamond work I believe can prosper me.
I am a yellow machine operator, but don't
have a job right now, so I am digging
diamonds.
It is the simplest way to get money.
No other work to do.
Friends influence.

2-4. Labor
The work-week for the miners and diggers interviewed is Mondays to Thursdays and Saturday. This islargely because Muslims rest on Fridays and Christians rest on Sundays. The team observed that Christiandiggers do not work on Fridays in Muslim-dominated mining claims. The majority of miners and diggers
work eight hours per day, usually starting at 8am and finishing at 4pm.
The Work Week
Miners (multiple answers allowed. n=107)

Diggers (multiple answers allowed. n=99)

Sun

Sun

Sat

Sat

Fri

Fri

Thurs

Thurs

Wed

Wed

Tue

Tue

Mon

Mon
0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0%

120%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Number of Work Hours
Miners (n=18)
6%6%Diggers (n=17)
12%

6% 5%

5%

12%

6 ≦a<7 hours
7≦a<8 hours

7 hours

8 ≦a<9 hours

11%

23%

9 ≦a<10 hours

8 hours
9 hours

10 ≦a<11 hours
61%

53%

12≦a<13 hours

10 hours

no set time

Do you mine diamonds yourself? (n=18)
44% of miner-respondents labored and dug diamonds
alongside a group of hired diggers, while 56% operate the mining
activity by managing a hired team of diggers.

44%

56%

27

Yes

No

2-5. Mining Experience
Miners have more years of experience in artisanal diamond mining than diggers. 22% of miners interviewed
have less than 10 years of experience and 78% of them have more than 10 years of experience. On the other
hand, 70% of diggers have less than 10 years of experience and 30% of them have more than 10 years ofexperience. These figures may be attributed to the fact, that some miners started the artisanal diamondmining activities as diggers, and only once they earned enough money, they were able to obtain a Class C
diamond mining license.
Number of Years S/he Has Mined Diamonds
Miners (n=18)

5%

6%

6%

Diggers (n=17)
a < 5 years

a<10 years
10 ≦ a < 20 years

22%

28%

41%

12%

30 ≦ a < 40 years

33%

5 ≦ a < 10 years

18%

20 ≦ a < 30 years

10 ≦ a < 15 years

0%
15 ≦ a < 20 years

29%

40 ≦ a < 50 years
50 ≦ a years20≦ a years

2-6. Literacy
Although all miners and diggers interviewed spoke English, literacy in English is very limited among them.
In fact, 22% of miners and 29% of diggers interviewed never attended school. 28% of miners and 17% ofdiggers attended an Arabic school which means that they are unable to read or write in English. Only 39%
of miners and 53% of diggers are able to read English. 67% of miners (12 miners) and 76% of diggers (13diggers) are able to write in English. Out of those who are able to write in English, 6 miners and 3 diggers
responded that they were able to write English without a problem.

Educational Attainment
Miners (n=18)

Diggers (n=17)

Not at all
6%

Not at all
6%

Grade 622%

Grade 728%

Grade 3

29%

17%

5%

Grade 86%Grade 12

5%
6%

6%
22%

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 9

1styear(College/University)
Arabic school

6%

12%

6%
6%

12%

Grade 9Grade 11
Arabic School
French school

French school28

Do you read?
Miners (n=18)

Diggers (n=17)

5%

Yes

6%
Yes

39%

28%

12%
No

No
Yes but Arabic only

53%

29%

Yes but French only

Yes but Arabic only28%

Yes but French only

Do you write?
Miners (n=18)

Diggers (n=17)

12%

22%
Yes

Yes

12%

Arabic only

Yes but Arabic only

11%

No

67%

76%

No

If yes, how well do you write?

If yes, how well do you write?

(multiple answers allowed. n=19)(multiple answers allowed. n=28)

without
a problem
simplesentences
numerical
numbers
Can write
Name

without a problem
simple sentences
numerical numbers
Can write Name
0

1

2

3

4

5

6

0

7

2

4

6

8

10

12

number of people

number of people

2-7. Numeracy
89% of miners (n=16) and 88% of diggers (n=15) interviewed had basic numeracy skills. Most of theinterviewees are capable of doing basic math.

However, some miners and diggers do not have basic numeracy skills. For these miners, it is particularly
challenging to negotiate a fair price and to get a fair share of the profits. The majority of miners lacking
numeracy skills were women. Their husbands are also miners who manage the mining operation on theirbehalf.

29

Do you calculate?
Miners (n=18)

Diggers (n=17)

11%

12%
Yes

Yes

No

No
89%

88%

What calculation can you do?

What calculation can you do?

(multiple answers allowed. n=51)(multiple answers allowed. n=40)

division10

division

multiplication10

multiplication

subtraction

5

10

15

13

addition

1607subtraction

15

addition

5

20

15
0

5

10

15

20

number of people

number of people

2-8. Gender
Diamond mining is considered to be men’s work in the DMCs that the team visited according to theinterviewees and local mining authorities. 100% of diggers that the team interviewed were males. Although
there are some female miners, this is largely in support of their husbands’ expanding business interests, as
the number of licenses that one individual can obtain is limited to four.

The team also came across cases where foreign men come to Liberia to marry local Liberian women inorder to obtain mining licenses. In these cases, the husbands are the ones in charge of running the mining
activities. The wives who own the mining licenses do not play any role in managing the claim. Almost all
the female miners interviewed by the team are illiterate, which may be a contributing factor for entrusting
their husbands to manage the mining operation.

Miner and Digger Respondents by Gender
Miners (n=18)

Diggers (n=17)
0%

22%
Male

Male

Female78%

100%

FemaleSome diamond mining claims do not allow women to come into contact with the land as they believe that30

it would have a negative impact on the diamond yield. According to some miners, a woman entering themining claim is considered as “Zina,” unlawful sexual intercourse, which angers God and causes his wrath
to decrease the amount of diamonds in the claim. According to the men in those areas, even female miners
cannot enter their own mining claims.

The team did not deeply look at roles of men and women and how they make rational decisions in theartisanal diamond mining in this survey. Therefore, the team would like to suggest DFP to look into thisissue through a more in depth analysis in the future.

2-9. Mining: A form of gambling
Artisanal diamond mining is inherently similar to gambling. The lack of adequate exploration and thoroughland surveillance assessments, insufficient technical know-how of efficient mining techniques, as well as
restrictions disallowing the use of heavy duty equipment under the Class C mining license, contribute toluck being a great determinant of results. Making it difficult to assess and forecast where, when and how
many diamonds will be recovered.

In fact, some miners and diggers interviewed reported that they had

not found any diamonds during the past year.

Miners and diggers continue mining, hoping that they will get what they refer to as “lucky tickets,” roughly
translated as a “lucky break,” which can in fact, either mean winning the lottery, or as used in this case,finding a diamond. Another reason cited for continuing is the possibility of “fast money.”

The individual

hustle for survival requires great effort propelled by a faithful belief in the randomness of the lucky break,and the high-adrenaline rush from the seldom win of finding a diamond.

If people get used to, and depend on a lottery-type “lucky ticket and fast money” system, it may be difficult
for them to make consistent daily efforts towards endeavors which may not, at least aspirationally, yieldsuch a high level of income.

Moreover, financial management and long-term planning are not inherent values when living in suchprecarious subsistence-level circumstances.

As such, when finding a diamond, some diggers excitedly

spend all the money from its sale, without a view to the longer-term future. In fact, one digger told the teamthat when he received USD2,000 from the sale of a sizeable diamond, he partied with his friends, drank
every night and gave away his earnings to friends. In the end, his full earnings were spent in just two months.

Economic Reality of Artisanal Diamond Mining
2-10. Profit-sharing
Miners do not usually provide daily wages to diggers, except under special arrangements. In a mining claim
with a large number of diggers, they are divided into groups, each usually consisting of four to six diggers.
Only members of the group that finds a diamond receives a share from the sale.

The customary profit-sharing arrangement dictates that a miner take 50% of the profits from the sale and31that the group of diggers take the other 50%, divided equally among group members.

In some DMCs,

diggers are also responsible for paying 10% of his individual share to the cook who prepares the group’s
meals, and another 10% for the engine oil and gasoline used to run the water pump.

Some miners erroneously believe that providing two meals a day and sharing the profits this way aregovernment regulations.

2-11. Incomei)Annual income

39% of miners earn less than USD1,000 and 44% earn between USD1,000 and USD5,000 annually. Veryfew miners earn more than USD10,000. This is a very low amount considering that miners need to renew
their licenses on an annual basis and to keep the mining activities operational. Miners’ median annual
income is equivalent to USD1,044 which averages out to less than USD100 per month, resulting in theirheavy dependency on supporters and brokers to provide for their operational expenses, such as meals for
diggers, tools (i.e. shovels and jigs), and small machines like the water pump.

Diggers earn even less. 6% of diggers claimed that they did not earn

Do diggers receive a daily wage?

anything over the past year. This is largely attributed to the fact that0%

employers do not pay diggers a daily wage but only after a diamond
is found and sold. Digger’s annual median income is equivalent toYes

USD300 which translates to an average of USD25 per month. With

No

this amount, it is very difficult to sustain themselves and their family

100%

members, given that 65% of diggers support five family members or
more, and 41% support non-family members as well. The averagefamily size is five, and the median is 6.

Annual Income (USD)
Miners (n=18)

Diggers (n=17)Median: $1,044

Median: $300

Average: $3,414

Average: $627
6%

a < 1000$

6%
0%

12%

11%
39%

6%

0 USD

1000 ≦a < 5000$

23%

1 USD ≦ a < 100 USD
100 USD ≦ a < 500 USD

5000 ≦a < 10000$

500 USD ≦ a < 1000 USD

44%

10000$ ≦a1000 USD ≦ a < 3000 USD

29%
24%

Not willing to disclose

32

3000 USD ≦ a

The Number of People Diggers Support
The number of family members

The number of non-family membersthat diggers support (n=17)

that diggers support (n=17)

0%

0%

0<a<4

5 ≦ a < 10
65%

ii)

0

18%

a<5

35%

23%

59%

10 ≦a

4≦a<6
7≦a

Additional income-generating activities

Mining diamonds alone does not sustain a miner/digger and his family in many DMCs. 83% of miners and
59% of diggers responded that they held additional jobs especially during the rainy season when mining isdifficult. Popular side jobs for miners are farming and selling daily commodities. Those for diggers are daylabor jobs, and farming.

Is mining diamonds your only source of income?
Miner (n=18)

iii)

Digger (n=17)

The volume and value of diamonds recovered

The below graphs show both the volume and value of diamonds that respondents, including miners anddiggers, said they had recovered over the past year. The majority were less than 10 carats. Regarding thevalue, miners tended to provide a higher value than the diggers.

The reasons for the value discrepancy can be attributed to the following:-

Miners tell diggers a lesser value (lower than actual sales price); or-

Miners recover more from multiple mining sites and diggers recover only from the single mining sitewhere they work.

33

The Volume of Diamonds Recovered Over the Past Year
Miner (n=18)

Digger (n=17)0%

a < 4 carat0%

a < 4 carat

7%

7%

4 ≦ a < 10 carat

20%

46%

10 ≦ a < 15 carat
15 ≦ a < 20 carat27%

4 ≦ a < 10 carat20%
10 ≦ a < 15 carat
6%67%

15 ≦ a < 20 carat

20 ≦ a carat~
20 ≦ a carat~

The Value of Diamonds Recovered Over the Past Year
Miner (n=18)

Digger (n=17)0% 0%

a < 1000 USD

a < 999 USD

6%

13%

1000 ≦ a < 5000 USD

0%
50%

25%

1,000USD ≦ a < 5,000USD

5000 ≦ a < 10000 USD

5,000USD ≦ a < 10,000USD
58%

31%

10000 ≦ a < 20000 USD

17%

10,000USD ≦ a < 20,000USD

20,000USD ≦ a20000 ≦ a USD

iv)

Savings

Only 22% of miners and 18% of diggers interviewed had savings. While a substantial majority, including
78% of miners and 82% of diggers did not have any savings. Given the level of income, volume and valueof diamonds that they recover, it is understandable that the majority do not have any savings.

Do you have savings?
Miners (n=18)

Diggers (n=17)

18%

22%
Yes
78%

No

Yes
82%

No

2-12. Expendituresi)

Expenses related to mining activities

22% of miners lead small teams of five diggers or less, 61% manage teams composed of six to ten diggers,
6% have large teams of 16 to 20 diggers, and 11% lead large teams composed of 21 or more. The average
number of diggers working for a miner is equivalent to 9.6 and the median is 8.

As mentioned earlier,diggers are not paid on a daily basis, but only upon a diamond sale. As such one of the largest expenses
comes from feeding the diggers.

Most miners (94%) provided two meals to their teams of diggers. 17%of miners estimated their total expenses per month to be less than USD100, 55% estimated them to be34

between USD100 and USD300, 17% calculated them to be between USD300 and USD500, and theremaining 11% estimated them to exceed USD500. 58% of miners interviewed pay these expenses
themselves and 42% depend on their supporters.

The number of diggers that miners have
Average: 9.6, Median: 8

Do you pay to a digger per day?

The number of times(n=18)

miners feed diggers per day (n=18)(n=18)

0%
6%

6%

0~5

11%

22%

0%

6~10

No

16~20
61%

94%

100%

2 times

21~

Total expenses for mining per month

Person who pays the mining expenses(n=18)(n=18)

11%

1 time

Yes

11~15

17%

a < 100 USD

42%100 ≦ a < 300 USD

17%300 ≦ a < 500 USD
55%

supporter
miner

58%

500 ≦ a USD

The essential expenses for operationalizing an artisanal diamond mining claim include: meals for diggers(rice, soup), tools (shovels, and jigs), engine oil and gasoline for a water pump. The team calculated therunning cost of a typical mining claim with 8 diggers per month based on local prices, as shown below.

[Total Cost: LD 48,685= USD463.676 per month]

Food
Subtotal LD33,280 per month-

Rice: LD30/cup x 2 times x 8 diggers x 26 days= LD12,480-

Soup can: LD50 x 2 times x 8 diggers x 26 days= LD20,800

Tools (to be replaced every other month)
Subtotal LD9,880 / 2 months =LD4,940 per month-

Shovel: LD735 x 8 diggers=LD5,880-

Jig: LD500 x 8 diggers=LD4,000

Oil and Fuel for a water pump
Subtotal LD10,465 per month-Engine oil (it needs to be changed every four days): LD250/quart x 6.5 times=LD1,625-

Gasoline (half gallon to two gallons per day: average one gallon per day):
LD340 x 26 days=LD8,840

6

As of March 30th 2017, the exchange rate of LD to USD is LD105=USD1 according to the Central Bank of Liberia.
https://www.cbl.org.lr/ accessed on March 30th 2017

35

ii)

Expenditures to support a family

Expenditures related to supporting a family varies, very much depending on the household. In this report,
the team summarized the typical expenses most likely incurred by a Liberian family, based on prices in thelocal markets at the time of the field work.

Typical Cost to Support a FamilyMonthly Cost
Annual Cost

Food

Healthcare

LD1,520/person
LD18,240/personLD854/household
LD10,248/household(LD: Liberian Dollar)

Entertainment(alcohol,cigarettes, etc.)
LD1,009/household
LD12,108/household

Transportation
LD0-4,000

Miscellaneous(good will, sacrificeetc.)-LD0-48,000

LD0-20,000

Source: Interviews with locals

Annual School Fees Including Uniform and Books(LD: Liberian Dollar)

Nursery

Primary School

Junior High School

High School

Government-

Up to LD3,800

Up to LD6,000

Up to LD10,000

PrivateUp to LD35,000

Up to LD15,050

Up to LD20,000

Up to LD40,000

Source: Interviews with locals

iii)

Financial support for diggers

It is not easy, especially for diggers to sustain themselves, when comparing their actual income to therequired basic expenditures. The team asked diggers to whom they turn to when in need of financial support;
and who actually provides them with financial support.

In answer to the former question: 9% ask no one, 45% seek support from their families, 18% ask friends,
23% request a loan from the miners for whom they work, and 5% ask their broker/supporters for financial
support. On the other hand, in terms of financial support received: 32% answered that no one lent themmoney, 16% received support from their families, 21% from friends, 16% from the miners they worked for,5% from their brokers/supporters, 5% from neighbors, and the remaining 5% from town chiefs.

People whom diggers ask for financial help
Who do you ask for financial help? (n=17)

Who lends you money? (n=17)

5%
no one

9%

23%

5%

familyfamily32%
16%

friend18%

no one

5% 5%

miner

45%

21%

miner
broker/supporter

friend16%

broker/supporterneighbor
town chief362-13. Price of diamonds
One of the biggest challenges miners think they face is that they cannot sell diamonds at a fair price. The
team considers the following factors to be contributing to this issue:i)Lack of adequate tools and technical knowledge to ascertain the precise market-value of diamonds:
Miners complained that it is difficult to ascertain the precise value of diamonds. When a buyersays to a miner “the color or the clarity of this diamond is not good,” he does not have the adequate
tools to counter-argue and prove differently.

Also, market values are not easily accessible due tothe lack of internet access.
ii)

No bargaining power:
For a miner working individually, it is much more challenging to bargain, than if he could leverage
the collective power of a cooperative.

This lack of bargaining power is further eroded by the factthat he is dependent on a supporter—a broker (buyer) in most cases—to run his mining site and is
obliged to sell his diamonds to his supporter (buyer) at whatever price is offered, in order tocontinue accessing the credit funding to cover the operational costs.
iii)

Dependency on supporters:
As explained above, many miners depend on supporters for covering the cost of operationalizing
the mining claims. This is provided in exchange for exclusive buying rights to any diamonds found.
Supporters buy diamonds at the lowest price possible because they have financed the operation
up-front. Given this situation, miners are unable to reap much profit, which creates a vicious cycleof perpetual dependency.

Interestingly, some brokers confessed to not being able to ascertain the precise value of diamonds either.
The team had a chance to talk to brokers in one DMC, where they were trying to figure out the value of
diamonds. Their usual strategy was to present the price based on their past experience.

2-14. Vicious Cycle of Interdependence with Supporters/Brokers
The majority of miners do not earn a sufficient income to sustain the mining activities on their own mining
claims. When they start artisanal mining, they seek help from supporters (brokers) to buy equipment suchas shovels and water pumps, and to provide meals to the diggers. In return, miners have to sell theirdiamonds to their supporters at whatever price the supporters demand, as stated in the previous section. The
price is usually substantially lower than market-price, according to miners’ statements.

Unfortunately,

this results in their continuous dependency on supporters and undercuts their chances to get out of poverty.

37

Vicious cycle of dependency on supporters

Some miners are trying to break this vicious cycle. One miner said he stopped receiving support from his
supporter and runs his mining site with what little resources he has. However, because his funds are limited,
his mining activity is operational only on an “on and off” basis. In one DMC, the miners sold their diamonds
to brokers who were not their supporters, seeking better prices. After this, the supporters left the DMC
realizing that the miners broke the tacit exclusive sales-rights agreement. However, miners complain thatthe price is still not fair and falls substantially below market price. It is in effect, very challenging for miners
to tell if the price is fair or not without knowing the market-value of diamonds and without access to theright tools to more precisely ascertain their value.

Issues at the Artisanal Diamond Mining Claims
2-15. Issues at the MinesThe below table shows the challenges facing artisanal diamond mines, as reported by miners and diggers.
The biggest issues reported are violence and theft.

Issues at Diamond Mines
Miners (multiple answers allowed. n=180)a) child laborb) forced laborc) bonded labord) violencee) environmental estructionf) drugs/smoking grassg) religious conflictsh) illegal miners/diggersi) theftj) smuggling

NO

67%

Diggers (multiple answers allowed. n=170)

28%

6%
0%
22% 0%
56%
44%
0%
61%
33%
6%
61%
22%
17%
100%
0%
67%
17% 17%
28%
67%
6%
61%
11%
28%
100%
78%

YES

DON'T KNOWa) child labor

76%b) forced laborc) bonded labor

0%

65%

d) violence

35%

44%

e) environmental destruction

59%f) drugs/smoking grass

59%g) religious conflicts

56%

47%

i) theft

41%j) smuggling

29%

YES

0%

24%

29%

12%

0%
29%

DON'T KNOW

2-16. The lack of trust among stakeholders
The team found that the stakeholders of artisanal diamond mining do not trust one another. Miners say“supporters cheat us” “diggers are stealing diamonds at the mining claims.” On the other hand, diggers say“supporters and miners present low diamond prices to us and exploit us” “if someone in the group I belong
38

0%
12%

59%
59%

0%
0%

41%
100%

h) illegal miners/diggers

NO

24% 0%100%

to does something wrong, I cannot be paid even though it has nothing to do with me” “The miner has not
paid me saying he lost the diamond I found.”

The team presents the possible main reasons for the prevalence of lack of trust among miners and diggers
below, based on a number of interviews with stakeholders:i)Transactions and decision are un-transparent and taken behind closed doors:
When a diamond is found in a mining claim, a digger passes it to a field agent who oversees theactivities. The field agent then passes it to the miner, for whom he works. The miner sells it to his
supporter (broker) behind closed doors. Either the miner or the supporter announces the agreed
sales price to the diggers and they settle the profits. However, diggers, who did not take part in thenegotiations, remain skeptical regarding the veracity of the price communicated to them.

The same applies to decision making. Leaders in a DMC make important decisions behind closed
doors. The voices of diggers, the most marginalized group of people, are rarely heard during theprocess. Therefore, diggers remain suspicious, largely because they are excluded.

ii)

Lack of record-keeping:
People in the DMCs, where the team conducted the field survey do not keep records of the
diamond sale transactions. A receipt of the transaction would help not only to build trust, but also
in establishing a more systematic trail of the valuation of diamonds.

Issues in Formalizing the Artisanal Diamond Mining Sector
2-17. Mining Licenses
Miners seem to be confused regarding the licensing process.

Mining License that Miners Have (n=18)

In principle, they need a Class C diamond mining license,

5%

28%

which is only valid for one year, and must be renewed on an annual

prospecting license
17%basis from thereon.

permitClass C

6%
44%

The team asked miners regarding their licenses. 5% responded thatGold liscense

Not sure

they had a prospecting license, 17% said they had permits, 44%answered that they had a Class C license, 6% possessed a gold license, and 28% said they did not know.

Some miners are well-aware that they need a Class C diamond mining license and that it must be renewedon an annual basis, but complained that they have no funds to do so. Other miners are either not aware or
feign ignorance in regards to what kind of license they must have, as well as to its renewal requirements.
One miner proudly showed the team his gold mining license, which he obtained many years ago believing
it was still valid. Some miners insisted they had permits which the team could not confirm.

There are a large number of miners whose Class C license expired but continue diamond mining. In one of
the DMCs surveyed, only four out of thirty-one miners had a valid Class C license.
39

Regarding the cost of a Class C diamond mining license, miners provided different figures. The figuresvaried from USD150 to USD500, including survey and clearance fees. It seems that some mining agentsask miners to pay extra fees for processing the license themselves.

2-18. Lack of knowledge on the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)
Liberia is a member country of KPCS which tries to prevent the circulation of rough diamonds that help tofinance conflicts. It is important that miners and diggers are aware of the risk that their diamonds may fuela conflict, to which they can relate easily, given Liberia’s recent experienced with a devastating civil war(1989-1997).

Only 28% of miners and no diggers interviewed had any knowledge about KPCS. Many people confused
it with Kimberlite, the igneous rock containing diamonds.

Do you know KPCS?
Miners (n=18)

Diggers (n=17)
0%

Yes
22%

50%

28%

Yes

24%

No

No
76%

Have heard about
it but don't knowwhat it means.

Have heard about it
but don't knowwhat it means.

2-19. Registration of diamonds with the Government Diamond Office (GDO)
In order for diamonds to circulate within legitimate channels, the Liberian government requires miners toregister their diamonds with GDO prior to selling them to brokers. Miners are supposed to take the vouchers
issued by GDO when finalizing a diamond sale with brokers, who subsequently take the diamond andcorresponding voucher to dealers, so that they can then export the legitimate merchandise with a KPCS
certificate.

This system seems not to be working as intended in Liberia for the reasons below:i)

There are only five GDO locations in the western region, which makes accessibility an issue. The
distance to the GDO offices is often a barrier to registration, given miners’ limited resources.

ii)

There are no tangible incentives for miners to register their diamonds with GDO.

iii)

GDO officers start off by checking the validity of a miner’s current license—a deterrent for miners without valid licenses.

iv)

Anyone can easily sell diamonds to brokers without vouchers issued by GDO.

40

2-20. Supply chain of diamonds
In Liberia, diamonds are usually supposed to go through the following supply chain: digger – miner –broker(s)/(supporter) – dealer (exporter). Miners, brokers and dealers need to be licensed by thegovernment. However, given that miners are often unable to register their diamonds with the Government
Diamond Office (GDO), it is reasonable to assume that the majority of diamonds are sold through informal
channels or sold to licensed brokers/dealers who buy unregistered diamonds and distribute them throughformal channels.

Miners and diggers reported that they could sell diamonds easily to brokers. They were unconcerned
regarding brokers’ licensed status.

The most critical factor for a sale to go through is the price. This showsthat the government is unable to control the brokers and dealers who buy diamonds, including unregisteredones, allowing these to come through legal channels.

The team considers that the mining license, registration of diamonds with GDO, and circulation of
diamonds in a legitimate market are correlated, as shown in the figure below.

Correlation of license, registration and circulation of diamonds

2-21. Cooperatives
67% of miners interviewed have some idea about what a cooperative is, reflecting the MLME’s efforts tohold workshops and raise miners’ awareness on the benefits of organizing themselves in this manner. On
the other hand, only 12% of diggers demonstrated awareness of the concept. Similarly, the majority ofminers are apprised that the government is planning to have miners/diggers organized into cooperatives,
but few diggers had been informed of this initiative.

The team explained the concept of cooperative to those who had not heard of it previously, and then asked
if they thought it could be beneficial. 82% of miners and 89% of diggers agreed that they found it could be
beneficial, 5% of miners and 0% of diggers did not think it beneficial, and 6% of miners and 18% of diggers
remained unsure.
41

Do you know what a cooperative is?
Miners (n=18)

Diggers (n=17)

12%

33%

Yes

Yes
67%

No

No
88%

Have you heard of the government’s idea to organize miners/diggers into cooperatives?
Miners (n=18)

Diggers (n=17)

18%

Yes

39%
61%

Yes
No

No

82%

Do you think getting miners/diggers organized into cooperatives beneficial?
Miners (n=18)
5%Diggers (n=17)

6%
Yes

0%

18%

Yes

No
89%

Don't know

No
82%

Don't know

Voluntary Activities in the Artisanal Diamond Mining Communities
2-22. Good practices
Although there are many challenges, as stated above, the team would like to highlight some good practices
they encountered in DMCs.

i)

Annual Mining Meeting

The team was fortunate to observe the Suehn Mecca Mining Agency annual meeting in Tubmanburg, Bomi
County—organized through people’s self-initiative. Each participant, including the mining chairman andpatrolman, from all over the County attended and contributed LD1,000 (about USD10), many travelling
long hours to participate.

In the meeting, each stakeholder gave remarks, the new regional coordinator made a speech stressing 3Cs,
Coordination, Collaboration, and Cooperation, followed by a Q&A session.

The content of the meeting

included the need to renew licenses and keep them up-to-date, the need to share profits fairly, and that the42mining chairman needs to be represented by a miner.

Suehn Mecca Mining Agency Meetingii)

The Diggers’ GroupIn Bellekpalamu Town, Gbarpolu County, diggers are organized into a group. They elect their group’s
leadership team including the chairman and secretary, through elections held every two years. The lastelection was held in December 2016. They keep the membership list and rules in a notebook. The rules arefocused on non-violence, including: 1) do not kill, 2) do not rape, and 3) do not fight. They meet every
Sunday to discuss issues and challenges that they face. The meeting is open to others, including miners,
supporters, brokers, and cooks.

At one of their regular meetings, held while the team was visiting, diggers complained that they had to pay
10% of their profits for engine oil and gasoline to run the water pump in the mining claim where they
worked. Diggers claimed that 10% was too high and supporters claimed that they also paid, while miners
argued that they, on the other hand, had to pay the cost of license renewal, and thus should not also be
responsible for bearing the cost of the oil and gas. After some discussion, they voted to contribute 5%,rather than 10%. After the vote, one miner stood up and said “I will not accept 5% in my mining claim.”
Diggers also discussed when the new 5% rule would become effective and decided that it would go into
effect when a group moves to a new mining field. However, not all miners and supporters were present in
the meeting. It is unclear, if in fact, the new 5% rule will go into effect.

In some DMCs in Zalekai Mining Agency in Gbarpolu County, diggers are also organized into groups.
However, (as of March 2017) the team did not come across any other diggers’ group which holds elections
to select its leadership team, organizes regular meetings, and keeps a list of membership and agreed rules.

43Diggers’ Group Activities in Bellekpalamu
Regular Meeting

Recorded names of diggers

Not only diggers but miners, supporters, brokers and cooks also
attended the meeting.

iii)

Community Project

There are some community projects organized through community members’ own self-initiative. For
example, the Bellekpalamu Community is building a school, and its members including miners, contributed
some money and materials, while the diggers’ group provided the labor, as in-kind support.

In Varguay, Grand Cape Mount County, the community is trying to build a guest house, an initiative
launched by the town chief. The project has just started as of November 2016 and the progress has not been
made as of February 2017 for a lack of funds.

There is no school in some DMCs. In Gbongor Village, Bomi County, a woman volunteers to teach children
at night at a community meeting space. It is also very fortunate that this village has a literate woman who
can be a role model for other girls in the village, and support their further education

School-Building Community Project in Bellekpalamu
November 2016

March 201744

Photos
2-23. Photos from the Field Survey
Interview with a miner

Explaining the survey to miners and diggers

Interview with a digger

Interview with a MLME officer

Rough diamonds

Artisanal diamond mining activity

45

3.

Living Conditions of Miners, Diggers and Community Members

In this section, the team would like to detail the living conditions of miners, diggers and other community
members including, their health status, access to sanitation facilities, and the effects of artisanal diamondmining on their lives.

3-1. Characteristics of Interviewees
The survey included a total of 35 respondents from six communities across four counties. Among the 35
respondents, 57% of them were family members of the miners and diggers and 43% were community
members randomly selected. Almost three-quarters (71%) were spouses of the household head and 20% ofthem were the household head themselves. Eighty-nine percent of the interviewees were female and elevenpercent were male. In terms of their age—40% were in their 30s, 31% of them were in their 20s and 14 %of them were in their 40s.

The ethnicity of the interviewees, is as follows: 29% were Gola, 26% of Kpelle,

26% Other, 9% Mende, and 6% Vai. Sixty percent of them were Christians, while 40% of them were Muslim.
Interviewee’s relationship with household head(n =35)Characteristic of interviewees(n=35)

Parent 6%
Community
members
43%

Householdhead(him/herself)
20%

Family of
diggersandminers57%

Spouse 71%

Sex of survey participants (n =35: interviewees,
n =32: household head/spouse)
Male
Interviewees
Householdhead/spouseFemale
11%

89%
88%

13%

Ethnic group of interviewees (n =35)
Other
26%
Gola 29%

Lorma 6%
Vai 6%
Mende
9%Child 3%Age of interviewees (n =35)
18-19 yrs
20-29 yrs
30-39 yrs
40-49 yrs
50-59 yrs
Above 60 yrs

3%
31%
40%
14%
9%
3%
Religion of interviewees (n =35)

Muslim40%
Christian60%

Kpelle26%

3-2. Characteristics of Interviewee’s Family (household head and spouse of interviewees7)
Eighty-eight percent of interviewees’ family members were male and thirteen percent were female. Thirty-

7

Including a “son” of interviewee.
46

one percent of them were in their 30s, while 25 percent of them did not know their age. Their ethnic groups
were; Gola (22%), Kpelle (22%), Vai (16%), Other (16%), and Mandingo (9%). Fifty-nine percent of themwere Muslim and 41% of them were Christian—an inverted proportion to the religious make-up identifying
interviewees.
Age of household head/spouse (n =32)
16-19 yrs
20-29 yrs
30-39 yrs
40-49 yrs
50-59 yrs
Above 60 yrs
Don’t know

Ethnic group of household head/spouse (n =32)
Other
Gola
16%
22%
Lorma
6%
Mende
9%
KpelleMandingo
22%
Vai
9%
16%

3%
9%
31%
13%
16%
3%
25%

Religion of household head/spouse (n =32)

Christian
41%

Muslim59%

3-3. Migration
About a third (31%) of the interviewees were from other communities in the same County, while anotherthird (29%) were from other counties, twenty percent were natives from the same community, and theremaining 20% were migrants from other countries. In other words, 80 percent of the residents in the mining
communities are from other areas. Almost a quarter (23%) of the respondents have lived in their current
residence for “over 10 years but less than 20 years” and one-fifth have lived in their current residence for“over one year but less than three years”. Thirty-seven percent of them have lived in their current residence
for less than three years, while a significant majority (63%) of them have lived there for over five years.
Hometown of interviewees (n =35)
Other country
20%
Same community
20%

Same County,
other community
31%
Other County
29%

Length of stay in the current address (n =35)
Less than 6 mth
6 mth～less than 1 yr
1～less than 3 yrs
3～less than 5 yrs
5～less than 10 yrs
10～less than 20 yrs
20～less than 30 yrs
More than 30 yrs

6%
11%
20%
0%
14%
23%
17%
9%

Of those who used to live in other communities, 46% used to live in other counties, while 31% used to livein the same County but other communities. Sixty percent have lived with their household head or spouse
all the time, while 31% sometimes live separately due to the migration required by mining and other jobs.
Respondents tended to stay in one location for a relatively long time—attributed to the fact that 90 percentof the interviewees were female and the jobs of some household heads or spouses were not related to mining.

47

Previous residence of interviewees (n =26)
Other country
23%

Cohabitation with household head/spouse (n =35)
Interviewees are household head/nospouse 9%

Same County, othercommunity 31%

No
31%

Yes
60%

Other
County46%
Residence of household head/spouse(n =11)

Length of living separately with household head/spouse(n =10)

Other country 9%
Less than 6 mth
Same County,
other community
27%

50%

6 mth～less than 1 yr

20%

1～less than 3 yrs

20%

Other County
64%

More than 3 yrs

10%

3-4. Educational Background
Almost half of the interviewees (49%) do not have any education, while about a fifth (23%) dropped out
from primary school. 69% of respondents were not able to read English, half of them were not able to write,
and all of the respondents reported that they had the ability to do simple math calculations. Twenty-eightpercent did not know the education level of their household head and spouse; 16% did not have any
education. Forty-one percent of them did not have the ability to read in English, 28% of them did not havethe ability to write in English. Ninety-seven percent of them responded that they had the ability to do simple
calculation.
Eighty-nine percent of the interviewees were female, while 88% of household heads or spouses of theinterviewees were male. Interviewees and their household head or spouse can be interpreted as “female”
and “male”, respectively. These communities had a low level of education overall, but especially in termsof female education attainment. On the other hand, women were engaged in small businesses, selling foodand grocery items, therefore they had the ability to do simple calculation. Women would greatly increase
efficiency in their businesses by enhancing their English literacy.
Educational background of survey participants

Ability to write English by survey participants

Interviewee(N=35)
Household head/Spouse(N=32)
31%

Yes
No
Don't know

48

56%
41%

0

3%

69%

Ability to write English by survey participantsHousehold head/Spouse(N=32)
50%
No
28%
32%
Can write my name13%
12%
Can write some sentences
34%
6%
Can write without a problem
22%
0 3%
Don’t know

Ability to conduct simple calculations
by survey participants

Interviewee(N=34)

Interviewees(N=35)
Household head/Spouse(N=32)
Yes
No

0%
3%

3-5. Occupation
Forty-five percent of the interviewees were running small businesses, such as grocery stores and clothingbusiness, 22% of them engaged in agriculture and 10% of them were diggers. Those who engaged inagriculture tended to sell their crops themselves. On the other hand, 33% of household heads or spouses
were miners and diggers, 12% of them were engaged in agriculture, and 7% of them were running small
businesses. Some interviewees who were currently running retail stores started their business with the cash
their spouse had earned from mining diamonds, ensuring a more stable source of income to support thefamily.

In these communities, most people held a job—anyone in good health, irrespective of gender, wasengaged in economic activities of some form. Given that earnings from each business were small andunpredictable, it is very important for households to have different avenues for income generation. Seventytwo percent of interviewees answered that they were satisfied with their spouse’ occupations because "ithelps to increase income” or “there are no other options”. Twenty-four percent of the interviewees were notsatisfied with their spouse’s occupation, mainly because they did not earn enough to support the household,even as hard as they worked.

In these communities, it was difficult to find the additional more stable

income-generating sources.
Occupations of Interviewees(Multiple ans. allowed, n =49)
Miner 4%
Prepare meals for
diggers 6%
None 6%
Digger10%

Occupations of household head/spouse(Multiple ans. allowed, n =42)
Supporter2%
Burn charcoal
5%

Other 6%Smallbusiness
45%

Other 7%
Digger33%

Small business
7%
Farmer12%

Farmer
22%

Miner
33%

Interviewees’ perception towards the occupation of household
head/spouse (n =29)
Other
3%
Not satisfied
24%

Satisfied
72%

49

100%
97%

3-6. Agriculture
Fifteen percent of the interviewees who engage in agriculture cultivate cassava, followed by bitter ball(13%), pepper (11%), and rice (10%). Half of them cultivate land of their own (or belonging to their family)
and 21% of them cultivate the community’s lands. Provided that they are able to pool enough funds forseedlings and the required farming tools, they are able to use the community’s land free of charge, after
attaining prior permission from the community chief.
Type of crops growing(Multiple ans. allowed, n =71)
Cassava
Bitter ballPepperRice
Okro
Sweet potato
Plantain
Eggplant
Beans
Eddo
Yam
Other

Owner of the farm field(n =14)
15%

Don’t know
14%

13%
11%
10%

Other
14%

8%
8%

Interviewees/Household
head/Spouse
50%

7%
4%
4%
4%
4%

Community
21%

10%

3-7. Size of Household and Meals
Forty-four percent of the respondents’ households consisted of 5-8 members, approximately one-third(29%) of them consisted of 9-12 members, nine percent had larger families composed by 13-16 members,
and eighteen percent had small family units of 1-4. Even though the size of the household in the community
was typically 5-8 members, there were many people whose children had remained in Monrovia, with theirrelatives or friends, and as such, were also responsible for sending money home regularly. Forty percent of
the respondents had three rooms, one-fifth (20%) had only one room, and 17% had two rooms.
Number of people in the household(n =34)1-4 persons

18%

5-8 persons

44%9-12 persons
13-16 persons

Number of rooms(n =35)Five
Six rooms 3%
rooms 6%
Four rooms
Three rooms
14%
40%

29%

Two rooms
17%

9%

One room
20%

Fifty-seven percent of respondents have meals twice a day, while 43% eat only once on a daily basis. No
respondents have three meals a day. Meal-preparation is deemed to be part of a woman’s responsibilities
and is largely managed by the household head’s wife (60%), and on a minority of cases by his sisters (13%),
and/or daughters (10%). 94% of the respondents reported rice as their staple food. In addition, people eat
cassavas, sweet potatoes, eddos and plantains. People either buy food at the local shops, from their friends
or in the market; or they farm it themselves. The majority (65%) walk to get their food, while a quarter use
a motorcycle and 10% go by car.

Forty-three percent walk only 10 minutes or less to get their food,about a third (31%) spend an hour or less, and the rest spend more than one hour, as detailed in the below
50

graph.
Persons who prepare meals(Relationship with household head) (n =30)

Number of meals per day (n =35)

Interviewee(Female without
Multiplespouse) 7%
persons(Wife/mother/daughter/sister) 10%

Once
43%

Daughter
10%
Sister13%

Twice 57%

Number of dishes to prepare for a meal (n =30)
1-4 persons

Cassava
Potatoes
EddoesPlantainyam
Cassava leaves
DumboyBanana
Fufu
Other

50%

9-12 persons

27%

13-16 persons
17-20 persons

Other foods to eat frequently(Multiple ans. allowed, n =110)

10%

5-8 persons

10%0%More than 21 persons

3%

4%
2%
3%
4%
8%
6%

By car10%

Buy from shops
29%

Buy from friends
neighbors
24%

28%
16%
15%
14%

Means of transportation to get foods(Multiple ans. allowed, n =48)

Place to get foods (Multiple ans. allowed, n =63)

Buy from market
24%

Wife
60%

By motorcycle
25%
By walk
65%

From the own farm24%

Times to get foods (n =35)
1～10 mins
11～30 mins
31 mins～less than 1 hrs
1hr～less than 1.5 hr
1.5～less than 2 hrs
More than 2 hrs

43%
17%
14%
9%
3%
14%

Photo: A miner’s daughter prepares meal.

Photo: A bedroom with mosquito net to prevent malaria.

51

3-8. Education for Children
Fifty-one percent of the respondents had school-aged children in their household. Ninety percent of thechildren walked to school and it was within a 10 minute-walk for the majority (78%) of them. It was
assumed that the children in respondents’ households went to mainly to either a kindergarten or a primaryschool. As there was no secondary school near the communities, therefore secondary-school-age children
are placed with relatives or friends in Monrovia or nearby cities. Some children were forced to drop out
because of affordability issues. Out of six communities where the survey was conducted, two of them lacked
a primary school. In Bongo community in Bomi County, a female volunteer who lived in the community
provided free 2-hour nightly lessons for children who could not afford to go to school.
Existence of a child/children who go to schoolin the household (n =35)

No
49%

Means of transportation to go to school(n =20)By motorcycle
10%

Yes
51%

By walk
90%

Time to go to school(n =18)31 mins～1 hrs 6%
11～30 mins
17%
1～10 mins
78%
Photo: A night school by a volunteer

3-9. Health
When asked about the family’s medical history over the past 12 months, 28% of the respondents had
experienced a family member’s suffering from malaria and 25% of them had experienced a family
member’s bout of fever and/or diarrhea. Fourteen percent of them had experienced pregnancy, childbirth,and miscarriage within the family.
Health status of household members in the past twelve months (Multiple ans. allowed, n =64)
Malaria
Fever, diarrhea, coughPregnancy/child-birth related
Typhoid
Other
Other chronic conditions
Back pain
Paralysis
Heart attack
Surgery
Tuberculosis
Noone got sich

25%

28%

14%
8%
6%
5%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
3%

Ninety-seven percent of the respondents go to health facilities when they are sick, among them 91% go to52

public health facilities (including hospitals, health centers, and/or clinics). It takes over two hours to go toa health facility for 26% of the respondents, while it takes 10 to 30 minutes for 21% of them. It takes over
two hours to go to a hospital (higher level of health facility), and less than 30 minutes to go to a clinic. The
transportation fee to go to a health facility is 0.1 to 5 US dollars for 47% of them, while 41% answered 0
US dollars. The reason cited by respondents and/or their family members for opting not go to a healthfacility is that “there are no health facilities in the community” (50%), they “do not feel the necessity”(25%), or “cannot afford it” (13%).
Type of health facilities go for treatment(Multiple ans. allowed, n =64)

Time to access to h the health facility (one way)(n =34))

Pharmacy 3%
Private clinic 6%

Less than 10 mins
10～ less than 30 mins
30mins ～ less than 1 hr
1 ～less than 1.5 hr
1.5 ～ less than 2 hrs
More than 2 hrs
Don't know

Government
hospital
42%

Government clinic
47%

Governme
nt healthcenter 3%

Cost to reach to the health facility (n =34)
0USD

47%

5～less than 10USD
10～less than 25USD

21%
12%
6%
18%
26%
3%

Reasons not to seek treatment at health facility (n =8)41%

0.1～less than 5 USD

15%

9%

Financialdifficulty13%

No time13%
No health facility
nearby50%

Do not feel the need25%

3%

During the survey, some respondents mentioned that more people go to health facilities than they used to,since the pandemic of the Ebola virus outbreak, back in 2014. Among the communities where the survey
was conducted, three of them did not have any public clinics, however, one of them (AB Anderson
community in Margbi County) had easy access to a public hospital, as they were close to the County’s
capital.
,3-10. Residence, Water and Hygiene
Eighty percent of the respondents did not have electricity. At night, half (49%) of them use flashlights and
29% of them use “Chinese lamps” (a larger type of flashlight). Eighty-six percent of them reported having
a bathroom at home, defined as a very simple, small space outside the home, covered with clothes, branches
and leaves (as pictured below).
Availability of electricity (n =35)

Type of lighting facility (n =35)

Yes
20%

Oil lamp/Jack-o’-lantern 3%
Electricity
20%
Chinese lamp
29%

No
80%

53

Flashlight/Torch49%

Photo: An outside bathroom

Only 16% of the respondents cook inside their houses, while 35% of them cook in another building and
20% cook in front of their houses. Firewood (49%) and charcoal (31%) and a mix of both (20%) are used
as cooking fuel.
Place of cooking (Multiple ans. allowed, n =37)
Outdoors
16%
In the house
16%

Type of fuels for cooking (n =35)
Wood andcharcoal20%

In a separatebuilding
35%

Wood
49%

Charcoal31%

On a porch
32%

Sixty-three percent of respondents defecate outside the home (in the bush) and among them 65% of them
reported that the distance to their voiding places were “within 300 meters”. Defecating outside contributes
to diarrhea and to the spread of intestinal infection, which can lead to malnutrition. It is, therefore, criticalto set up adequate sanitation infrastructure in these communities. Seventy-percent of them get drinking
water

from

“hand

pump/protected

dug

well”

and

25%

from

a

“surfacewatersource(river/lake/ponds/stream/canal”. The large majority, eighty-three percent, of them had access to a water
source within 300 meters. 69% of them drank water treated with chlorine, while 29% drank untreated water.
In terms of waste disposal, 56% of them used a dumping ground nearby, while 22% of them threw out thetrash in the bush.
Place to defecate(Multiple ans. allowed, n =38)

Distance to toilet/sanitation facility(n =35)501-1000 meters
9%301-500 meters
9%

In household
premises
17%

54

101-300 meters
31%

Within 100
meters34%

Place to go for drinking water(Multiple ans. allowed, n =37)

Distance to water source(n =35)

Unprotected dug well 3%

In household premises

9%

Within 100m

Surface water (e.g.
river/lake/pond/stream/
canal) 27%

37%

101-300m

Hand pump/protected
dug well
70%37%

301-500m

11%

501-1000m

3%

More than 1km

3%

Means to purify drinking water(n =35)

Places to dispose solid waste(Multiple ans. allowed, n =36)

Boiled3%

Just thrown outside thehouse 8%

No treatment
29%

In the waste dust bin
nearby14%

Bleach/chlorine
added
69%

Garbage dumping
ground nearby
56%

Bush
22%

With regards to land ownership, 40% of respondents own land in their community, 9% of them own landin other areas, and 51% of them were not land-owners. 60% of them raise livestock and 87% of them raisechickens. Of those raising livestock, 38% of them raise 1-5 livestock, while a third (33%) of them raise 610 livestock. The majority of the respondents had a mobile phone (66%) and a radio (51%). Only very few
people had a smart phone. The majority of communities were not connected to a mobile network. Over
80% of the respondents did not have a PC/tablet, TV, motorcycle, nor generator. Eighty-five percent ofthem got information from their friends through mobile phones, while 13% of them got information froma radio.
Possession of land (n =35)

Possession of farm animal (n =35)

Yes（Not in the village）9%Yes (In the village)
40%

No
40%

No
51%

Yes
60%

Types of farm animal (n =23)

Numbers of farm animal (n =21)

Goat Dog
9% 4%More than 16
14%
11-15
14%
6-10
33%

Chiken
87%

55

1-5
38%

Possession of goods in the household (n =35)
YesNo

mobile phonecomputer/table 3%
radio
TV
14%
motorcycle
23%
17%
generator

66%

34%
97%

51%

49%
86%
77%
83%

Numbers of mobile phone in household(n =23)Means to collect information(Multiple ans. allowed, n =40)

Don’t know 4%
Three
22%

Work place 3%
Radio
13%

One
52%

Friends, neighbours
85%

Two
22%

3-11. Entertainment
Some respondents answered that playing and watching football, or clubbing were their preferred
entertainment activities. Others reported that there was no entertainment in the community.
Entertainment in communities (Multiple ans. allowed, n =49(male), n =49(female))
Go to club
Play football/watch football
Play kick ball
Go to palava hut and dance
Go to video club
Talk with friends
Drink alcohol
Watch movies at friends house
Go to shop selling alcohol
NoneDon’t know

12 13

16

7

0

5
5
5
5

2
1
1
1
1
1
1

0

Male

2

Female
7
2

0

8

3

2

No. of answers

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

3-12. Who to ask for advice?
Both males and females ask the town (village) chief for advice. At the same time, women ask womenleaders for advice as well.
Persons seeking advice (Multiple ans. allowed, n =43(male), n =40(female))Town(village) chief

27

16
15

0

Chair lady
Chair person

6

3
2
2
1 2
1 2
1 2

Family member
Traditional chief
Police, court
Religious leader
Other

0
0

Male
Female
3
5

10

15

56

20

25

30

No of answers

3-13. Membership in Community Organizations
About half (54%) of respondents and their family members reported belonging to some community
organizations.

Of those, 39% belonged financial organizations, 24% belonged to community

development organizations, and 15% to ethnically-based groups. Eighteen percent of the organizations
consisted of “21-50 members”, 16% of them consisted of “11-20 members” and 29% of them answeredthat they did not know the size of the organization.

Forty-nine percent of respondents reported that there was no admission fee to join these organizations,while 37% of them paid membership fees, and 14% of them were not aware of the cost, if any. Among the
37% who answered that an admission fee was required, 56% of them reported that the fee was less than
USD5. Many of the respondents identified “SUSU” as a financial organization to which they belonged.
This is a self-help organization that lends money to its members. Members deposit an agreed amount ofmoney on a certain date to their leader and each member is lent money from those funds in a pre-agreed
order.

Respondents also mentioned being members of agricultural organizations established with thesupport of development agencies, such as NGO’s.

Additionally, there were self-help groups which had

been formed in some communities such as a neighborhood watch, to safeguard against theft. Moreover,people from the same tribes come together regularly to discuss common issues/challenges and to support
each other in case of illness or financial hardship. There were various organizations that cooperate witheach other within these communities.
Memberships of community organization (n =35)

Types of community organization(Multiple ans. allowed, n =33)
Agriculture 6% Religion 3%

No
46%

Friendship
12%
Tribal
15%

Yes
54%

Financing
39%

Community development
24%
Numbers of membership (Multiple ans. allowed, n =38)

1-5 persons
6-10 persons
11-20 persons
21-50 persons
51-100 persons
101-200 persons
201-300 person
More than 301
Don’t know

0%Registration fee for joining organization(Multiple ans. allowed, n =35)

Don’t know
14%

8%
16%
18%
11%
11%

Yes
37%

5%
3%
29%

57

No
49%

Amounts of registration fee (n =18)

Don’t
know
39%

Less than 1 USD
28%

1- less than 5 USD
28%

5-less than 10 USD
6%

3-14. Household Income and Expenditures
About a third (29%) of respondents reported that annual household income for the previous year was USD0,
while about a fifth (23%) of them did not know. The concept of “annual household income” is not common
among the respondents. It is assumed that they were making ends meet with what they earn on a daily basis.

Respondents reported household income for the previous month (October 2016: dry season), as follows:“USD26-USD50” (20%), “USD101-USD300” (20%), “USD1-USD25” (17%), “USD0” (14%), and “don’tknow” (14%). The main source of income was: a small business (40%), mining (by miners) (17%), mining(by diggers) (15%) and agriculture (10%). Ninety-one percent of the responders answered that the income
was not stable throughout the year. Ninety-four percent of respondents had more income during the dry
season, and conversely 97% spent more in the rainy season.
Household annual income (n =35)

0 USD
1-25 USD
26-50 USD
51-100 USD
101-300 USD
301-600 USD
601-1,000 USD
1,001～2,000 USD
More than 2,001 USD
Don’t know

Household income of the previous month(October 2016: dry season) (n =35)

29%
3%
9%
6%
14%
6%
0%
0%
11%
23%

Major source of income(Multiple ans. allowed, n =48)

Burn charcoal
2%
Fisher4%
Farmer10%

Digger15%

0 USD
1-25 USD
26-50 USD
51-100 USD
101-300 USD
301-600 USD
601-1,000 USD
1,001～2,000 USD
More than 2,001 USD
Don’t know

14%
17%
20%
6%
20%
3%
0%
3%
3%
14%

Stability of monthly income throughout a year(n =35)

Other
13%

Don't know
3%

Yes
6%

Small business40%

No (Not stable throughout a year)
91%

Miner
17%

58

Season with more income (n =31)

Season with more expenditure (n =31)
Dry season
3%

Rainy season
6%

Rainy season
97%

Dryseason94%

There was no huge disparity between the dry season and rainy season in terms of income sourced fromeither a small business (37%: dry season, 44%: rainy season), or farming (19%: dry season, 14%: rainyseason). The major disparity across the two seasons was most seriously felt in the mining sector, as 26%:of miners and diggers reported gaining income in the dry season, while 14% of them reported no income at
all in the rainy season. During the dry season, mining is active, therefore, small businesses gain vibrancy
in response to the increased demand around the bustling activities generated by mining. The road conditions
are good and there is more traffic, therefore small businesses make more sales. On the other hand, in therainy season, mining is dormant and related income decreases. In addition, transport is difficult aroundunpaved roads, which may become unpassable, increasing transportation costs, as well as the costs of allother goods, as well as decreasing traffic flows.
Major source of income in dry season(Multiple ans. allowed, n =57)
Fisher 4%

Major source of income in rainy season(Multiple ans. allowed, n =57)

Other 9%Fisher5%
Digger
7%
Miner
12%
None
14%

Small
business
37%

Burn charcoal 5%
Digger
12%
Miner
14%

Farmer
19%

Other
5%
Small
business
44%

Farmer14%

Here is the breakdown and amount of monthly expenditures 8.
Food expenses per month (n =29)
0 USD
0.1-25 USD
26-50 USD
51-75 USD
76-100 USD
101-250 USD
251-500 USD
More than 501 USD
Don’t know

8

Travel expenses per month (n =30)

0%

0 USD

10%

23%

0.1-25 USD

7%7%

26-50 USD

33%
37%
3%

51-75 USD
76-100 USD
101-250 USD

0%
3%

53%
7%

251-500 USD

13%
0%
0%
3%

In case respondents answered the annual amount, the amount was divided by 12 months.

59

Water, electricity and housing expenses per month(n =29)0 USD
0.1-25 USD
26-50 USD
51-75 USD
76-100 USD
101-250 USD
251-500 USD

School expenses per month(n =29)66%

0 USD
0.1-25 USD
26-50 USD
51-75 USD
76-100 USD
101-250 USD

24%
0%
0%
0%
7%
3%

Medical expenses per month (n =30)
0 USD
0.1-25 USD
26-50 USD
51-75 USD
76-100 USD
101-250 USD

0%
3%
0%
3%
Land lease fees per month (n =30)

27%
57%
13%
0%
0%
3%

0 USD
0.1-25 USD
26-50 USD
51-75 USD
76-100 USD
101-250 USD

Business expense per month (n =28)
0 USD
0.1-25 USD
26-50 USD
51-75 USD
76-100 USD
101-250 USD
251-500 USD
501 USD

59%
34%

90%
7%
0%
0%
3%
0%

Expenses for entertainment (n =30)

61%

0 USD

7%
11%
4%
0%
4%
7%
7%

53%

0.1-25 USD
26-50 USD

The majority of household income is spent on food.

40%
7%

As such, it would greatly ease the financial burden

suffered by these communities, if food expenses were reduced.

In terms of household budget allocation, forty-three percent of the respondents reported that men are thedecision-makers, while about a third (31%) responded that both men and women had equal say, and aquarter (26%) viewed women as the key decision makers.
Sex of the decision maker of household account (n =35)
Male

43%

Both
Female31%
26%

3-15. Savings
Forty percent of the respondents had savings. Among them, 29% saved money either every week or every
month, while 21% did not save regularly. The amount of savings put away each time was reported asfollows: “less than USD10” (21%), “USD11-USD50” (21%), “don’t know” (21%). 43% of them saved bycontributing to the village savings group, SUSU, while 36% of respondents used a bank account.

60

Sex of the decision maker of household account (n =35)
DO YOU HAVE SAVINGS?
Don’t know 3%

Daily
2-3 times a week
WeeklyOnce in two weeks
Monthly
Once in two months
No fixed pattern

Yes
40%

No
57%
Amount of saving in one time (n =14)
Below 10 USD
11～50 USD
51～100 USD
101～250 USD
251～500 USD
Don’t know

Saving behavior (n =14)
7%
0%
29%
7%
29%
7%
21%

Place for saving (n =14)

21%
21%

Don’t know 7%
Other
14%

14%
14%
7%

Bank
36%

21%

Village saving
group
43%

3-16. Debts
Unsurprisingly, given the rampant poverty and financial vulnerability experienced in these communities, asubstantial majority, (89%) of respondents had experienced financial difficulty over the past year. Whenthey faced difficulties, about a third (30%) of them asked for support from their relatives or friends, while
27% just continued to work and carry on as usual. When facing a financial difficulty, about a third (30%)
of them took on debt or sold valuables. About half (55%) were able to get a loan from their relatives, friends,
or a community based financial organization (SUSU). They went into debt for: business expenses (21%),
food expenses (21%), mediation costs (14%), clothes (14%), health expenses (14%). The interest rate was:“don’t know” (36%), “over 20% of the total debt” (27%), and “no interest” (18%).
Experiences of financial difficulties in the household last year(n =35)Means to cope household financial difficulties(Multiple ans. allowed, n =37)

No
11%

Yes
89%
Experiences of loan or sold valuable items(n =35)

Persons who ask for loan or sold valuable items(n =11)
Don’t know 9%
Others 9%

Yes30%

Family/relatives
9%

No
65%

Village saving group
18%

61

Friends/neighbors
55%

Reason for loan or sold valuable items(n =14)

Interest rate for the loan(n =11)
No interest

18%

Less than 5％

9%5％～less than… 0%
10％～less than…

9%

More than 20%

27%

Don’t know

36%

3-17. Situation in the Mining Sites
Fifty-seven percent reported that there were female workers at mining sites: preparing meals for diggers(35%), mining (35%), and selling bread or snacks” (19%). The challenges faced at mining sites are:“stealing,” “violence” (21% respectively); “drugs,” “child labor” (10% respectively), “There is no issue”(5%).
Female labor in mining sites (n =35)

Types of work by female workers in mining sites(Multiple ans. allowed, n =31)
Cooking

35%

Digger35%

No 43%
Yes 51%

Selling…

19%

Other

Yes(Gold
mining) 6%

6%

Don't know

3%

Problems in mining sites (Multiple ans. allowed, n =80)
theftviolenceillegal miners/diggers
drugs
child labor
environmental destruction
religious conflicts
Other
No
Don't know
smugglebonded labor
forced labor

21%
21%
16%
10%
10%
6%
4%
3%
5%
4%
0%
0%
0%

Seventy percent of the respondents believed that mining was not beneficial for their community, while halfbelieved that mining also actually harms their community—these were two separate questions, as noted in
the graph below.

The benefits of mining to the communities are: miners have to get permission from the town (village) chief
before they start mining and pay part of the earnings from the mining to the town (village) chief9. People
who prepare meals for diggers get a share when diggers find diamonds. Miners give gratuities to thecommunities, build community meeting places (palava hut) and pave roads.
9

A case from a gold mining site.

62

The disadvantages of having mining in the community are: many people from outside enter thecommunities, miners and diggers do not care about the development of the community. Even when minersand diggers find diamonds, they go to Monrovia soon afterwards, and only come back after they have spent
all the money. Diggers commit thefts at mining sites or in the community.
Benefit from mining activity to the village(n =34)

Negative impact of mining activity to the village(n =30)DO YOU/YOUR COMMUNITY RECEIVE ANY
BENEFIT FROM MINING ACTIVITY?

DO YOU/YOUR COMMUNITY RECEIVE ANY
NEGATIVE BENEFIT FROM MINING ACTIVITY?

Don't know
10%

Yes
15%

Don't know
15%

No
40%

No
71%

Yes
50%

3-18. Future Expectations
Fifty-two percent of respondents reported that their community had issues which needed to be addressed,
while 34% didn’t think so, and 14% didn’t know. The issues include the lack of infrastructure in theircommunities (bathrooms, hospitals, schools, and paved roads), high costs of consumer goods as these arelargely imported from outside communities, and the dearth of job prospects and little entertainment.

When asked what kind of changes they would like to make for themselves and their families in order tolive better lives, respondents expressed the following: (i) provide a better education to their children; (ii)build and/or repair a house, (iii) start and/or expand a business; (iv) get a better job and earn higher wages;(v) have access to a hospital, bathroom and clean water.

Following on, they were asked what changes they were making to bring about these improvements,
common responses included: “working hard on the current job”, “nothing”, “praying to God”. While aminority had been working to improve their communities by building a school, supporting young people(not detailed), and giving lectures to children.

From these examples of community self-help, it is evident

that people in these communities could further enhance their cooperation with each other to improve theirlives by developing a proper system that makes this possible.
Challenges in the communities (n =35)
ARE THERE ANY CHALLENGES/PROBLEMS IN THE COMMUNITIES?

Don't know
14%
Yes
52%

No
34%

63

Photos
3-19. Photos from the field survey
An interview to a miner’s family member

An interview to a digger’s family member

A small business by a digger’s family member

A kitchen of a digger’s house

A digger’s house

A villager’s bathroom

64

4.

Cooperative Development Agency’s Roles and Activities

In the model project, DFP is planning to support artisanal diamond miners and diggers to organize
themselves into cooperatives and to run them democratically, as parts of a set of activities to mine fairdiamonds.

The Cooperative Development Agency (CDA) is established in Liberia as a government body to: facilitateorganizing workers into cooperatives, as well as to monitor and supervise cooperatives’ activities. As such,
CDA will play an important role in the DFP’s model project. Thus, the team collected information on CDA’s
activities and presents it as follows:

4-1. History of CDA
By enacting the Cooperative Society Act in 1936, cooperative activities became legal in Liberia.
Cooperative activities originated from traditional “Kuu and Susu10” and from thereon became popularized.
CDA was established in 1981, as a regulatory body. Following on, CDA supported the establishment of 408
cooperatives in the 70’s and 80’s. 324 out of 408 of these, are agricultural related cooperatives. As of now,
a total of 450 cooperatives have been established in Liberia.

There is only one cooperative certified as fair trade in Liberia, which is, Foya Maliado Cacao producers’
cooperative in Lofa County. GIZ helped that cooperative and it was certified as fair trade in 2014.

Ten to fifteen mining-related-cooperatives were established so far. However, the majority of their activities
are not under current implementation, according to CDA.

4-2. Collaboration of CDA and MLME
CDA took part in the workshops that MLME organized to develop the Roadmap in 2016 and raised theawareness of the participants on the benefits of a cooperative. MLME and CDA have largely agreed to work
together to organize miners into cooperatives.

4-3. Definition and conditions of a cooperative
CDA defines a cooperative as follows:“Association/Cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common
economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled
enterprise”11

To establish a cooperative, CDA requires a minimum of 15 members and a minimum of 25% female

10

Kuu is a group whose members provide their labors. For example, the members work on the farm of member A this week. They
work on member B’s farm next week. They do not exchange any money. Susu is a financial group whose members bring a certain
amount of money every time they meet. The group lend the money to members with interest and share the interest at the end of theyear. The rules may be different depending on the group.
11
Cooperative Development Agency (CDA). Basic Steps in Forming an Association/Cooperative. (Year Unknown)

65representation.

Another requirement instituted by MLME stipulates that a cooperative must have at least

fifteen valid Class C mining licenses. While it does not mean that each member has to have a valid Class
C license, it does mean that the total number of valid Class C licenses needs to be at least fifteen per
cooperative. As such, it would be acceptable if five miners, each have three valid Class C licenses.

4-4. Role of CDA and steps to become a cooperative
CDA plays a role in raising awareness/monitoring/supervising the groups and in providing advice
before/during/after the groups become cooperatives so that they comply with the rules set by CDA.

In order to establish a cooperative in Liberia, a candidate group needs to complete the following
requirements12:
i)

Identify persons wishing to set up a democratically run group to deal with shared needs form aprovisional committee;ii)

The provisional committee must organize a general meeting of all members for start-up;

iii)

Elect a Provisional Board of Directors to prepare the constituting general meeting of theassociation and set up a by-laws committee;

iv)

The constituting general meeting officially creates the association with its statutes and by-laws;v)

Provisional Board of Directors submits a letter of intent to CDA requesting support;vi)Upon receipt of the letter, CDA conducts a feasibility study and/or baseline survey to ascertain thecurrent activities of the proposed association/cooperative. The proposed group needs pay USD275
to CDA to cover the cost of the study/survey;vii)

Based on the results of the study/survey, CDA conducts trainings in basic association/cooperative
principles, governance, leadership and financial management. During this period, CDA also
reviews the by-laws of the proposed association/cooperative to ensure that they were establishedin accordance with the guidelines, as set out by CDA. CDA issues Pre-Association/Cooperative
Status Permit Certificate to allow the group to operate for four to six months.

viii)

Proposed cooperative conducts democratic leadership elections under the supervision of CDA.

ix)

The elected leadership completes the following:- Prepares the business plan
- Hires a management team- Secures funding- Opens a bank account- Establishes an office- Sets up a signboardx)

The proposed association/cooperative operates in accordance to the law.

xi)

After a certain period of time, CDA conducts its due diligence. In case CDA confirms that the
proposed association/cooperative is compliant to the law, it then issues the official
association/cooperative permit, which is valid for life.

12

Cooperative Development Agency (CDA). Basic Steps in Forming an Association/Cooperative. (Year Unknown)

66After the association/cooperative starts its activities officially, CDA is charged with the following
activities13:i)Annual auditingii)

Providing refresher trainingiii)

Periodic monitoring

CDA reportedly has staffing issues (only two officers to cover the whole western region) and insufficient
funds to conduct its required activities, according to interviews with CDA officers.

4-5. Observation of trainings conducted by CDA
A team member observed the two-day training of basic principles for a proposed rubber producers’
cooperative. The training program was as follows:

1st day-

Remarks by

2nd day

CDA, self-introduction of-participants

Conditions and basic steps to establish acooperative (cont’d)-Conditions to be a member of a cooperative-

International

anddomestic

historyof-Structure of a cooperative-

Differences between a cooperative and acooperative activities

private enterprise-Role of CDA-

Cooperative body for governance-

Why establish a cooperative?

-

Nine basic principles for good governance-Features of a cooperative-

Advantages of joining a cooperative-

Conditions and basic steps to establish acooperative

4-6. Reflections
Participants learned a lot of important things during this two-day basic training. However, due to the limited
time allocated, it was not possible to cover the full content, as planned. As such, at the end, the instructor
asked participants to on their own, read the textbook and review the material not covered during theworkshop. The textbook has lots of content which is difficult to understand.

In order for participants tobetter understand it, it would be useful going forward, for the textbooks and teaching materials to berevamped, with a view to making them easily legible (including more visuals). At the same time, followup trainings are necessary, ensuring that practical implementation challenges can be adequately addressed.

According to CDA, in order for a cooperative to be successful, good governance is key. CDA addresses
governance not only in the pre-cooperative training but also in the three-day basic training of leadership,

13

Based on the hearings from CDA officers

67management and governance to be provided after organizing a cooperative.

Photos from a CDA Training: “Basic Principles of a Cooperative”

68

5.

Locally Available Options for Efficient Income Generation Activities

As presented in the Major Findings 2. Reality of Artisanal Diamond Mining on the Ground, miners anddiggers are trapped in a cycle of dependence on “supporters.” In order to have fair diamonds in the future,
this cycle needs to be broken. It is essential that miners and diggers have enough financial resources tobreak the cycle and sustain their artisanal diamond mining activities. At the same time, they need to reducethe costs associated with their mining activities.

The team researched activities which could either potentially increase their income, or reduce related
mining costs. The following assumptions were made, with a view to ensuring viability/sustainability:i)

A side job which can be done while miners/diggers conduct their mining activities;ii)

A side job which can raise their income and produce products efficiently;iii)

An activity which does not require expensive facilities and/or machinery;iv)

Miners/diggers can procure in Liberia the materials necessary to carry out the activity;v)

In a case they need re-skilling, a local organization can readily provide the necessary training;vi)

The trainings to learn new skills and the follow-up are reasonably priced; andvii)

The local organization which provides the training has the capacity to provide follow-up throughthe entire process from the re-skilling/capacity-building to ensuring that it becomes an incomegenerating activity for the trainees.

As a result of the research, the team would like to present beekeeping as an efficient income generation
activity, and Nerica rice farming as a cost reducing activity. DFP will be flexible to incorporate otheractivities as well in the project, if more viable options become available in the future.

5-1. Beekeeping
According to a study conducted by USAID, honey production in the USA and Europe has decreased, whichbrings about unmet demand for imported honey.14 At the same time, there is a high unmet domestic demandfor honey in Liberia.

It is estimated that it will take about five to ten years to satisfy the domestic honeymarket, according to a NGO Universal Outreach Foundation (UOF) which provides beekeeping trainings
in Liberia. Liberia Pure Honey, which works with UOF, is undertaking the preparation of a testinglaboratory, with a view to making Liberia the base for honey exports in West Africa.

The team met with UOF, carried out interviews, and observed its beekeeping activities. UOF considers two
years as the minimum period to fully train beekeepers. UOF provides the basic-skills-trainings in the firstyear and advanced-skills-trainings during the second year. UOF staff visit the trainees once a month during
this period. Prior to starting the first training, UOF staff carry out a feasibility study—visiting the targetedarea, observing the ecosystem and then estimating expected amount of honey production potential. If the
expected amount is above their minimum standard, UOF launches its activities.
14

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) (2015), Liberia Market Study for Selected Agricultural Products
http://eatproject.org/docs/EATMarketAnalysisLiberia.pdf browsed on 30th March 201769

In launching its activities, UOF trainers start-off by providing a four-day basic training workshop in
which trainees set up beehives. The trainer then visits the site once a month, observes the trainees’
activities, and gives advice, as necessary. The trainer-trainee ratio is 1 to 20/25, and on average five toseven trainees out of a cohort of 20/25 continue undertaking beekeeping seriously. Others become
indirectly involved in beekeeping (such as becoming a manager of a bee-products related business).

During the first month, trainees need some time to undertake the training and set up their beehives. After
that, it takes on average, about ten minutes per week to properly care and tend the beehives. Given thelevel of efficiency, almost all beekeepers in Liberia do it as a side business. The ratio of bees colonizing
beehives is 50%.—as such, if a bee-keeper sets-up four beehives, bees usually colonize two of them.
They are then advised to move the uncolonized beehives to another area.

Beekeepers usually harvest honey once a year, in June. Once they master the trade, they can harvest twicea year. They usually harvest one to three gallons of honey per hive during the first year. When their skills
are improved, they can harvest up to a maximum of five gallons per hive. Liberia Pure Honey buys all thehoney at a set price of USD20 per gallon. Beekeepers do not have to spend money on transport to sell theirhoney because Liberia Pure Honey provides for pick-up. If a person who has not received UOF training
directly, but has nonetheless produced and harvested honey in the way that UOF instructs, Liberia Pure
Honey will also buy all his/her honey at the same set price.

Once a beekeeper earns money from honey sales, s/he realizes that s/he can efficiently earn income throughbee-keeping which has a highly motivating effect. Given this efficiency, as well as the fact that UOF trainers
use local materials, and provide robust follow-up and training, this seems to be a highly sustainable andviable option, as a part-time income-generating activity.

One of the challenges that UOF often faces, is that trainees tend to have some difficulties over how they
allocate the shared equipment and the profits, especially during the first two months. Trainers support thetrainees in setting rules on equipment and profit sharing during the first training.
Beekeeping activity
The amount of honey production depends on the ecosystem in the area.
The more native flower trees in the area, the greater the production
potential. It is expected that bee-keepers protect their environment andsurrounding ecosystem so that they can reap economic benefits. Whileartisanal diamond mining causes environmental degradation, if
miners/diggers keep bees as a side business, their awareness towards
the environment can be raised as a side effect.

The cost to carry-out a preliminary assessment/feasibility study, trainings for about 20 trainees, andmonthly follow-up’s is about USD10,000 per year.
70

5-2. Nerica Rice Farming
The staple food in Liberia is rice. According to a study conducted by USAID, a whopping 85% of thecalories consumed in Liberia come from rice. Since rice plays a very important role in Liberians’ diet, no
import tax is levied on it. Furthermore, the Liberian government limits the margin of 50kg wholesale rice
to USD1. As a result, 60% of the rice circulated in the Liberian market is of low quality, at the mandated
low prices. Rice farmers with low productivity in Liberia cannot make profits in the market, which
demotivates them.15
Productivity of rice in Liberia and other countries

Productivity/haLiberia

Liberia

Highlandlowland

0.8 MT

1.2 MT

Bangladesh

Egypt

2.9 MT

7.25 MT(MT: Metric Ton)
Source：Liberia Market Study for Selected Agricultural Products (USAID)and Commodity Intelligence
Report (USDA)

The team calculated the cost to sustain an artisanal diamond mining activity with a team of eight diggers to
be USD463.67.

About 26% of it (USD119 or LD12,480) accounts for rice-consumption.

If acooperative can produce the rice necessary to cover the needs of an average 8-digger team, the cost is
decreased to USD344.67 per month, which makes it more viable to raise the necessary funds.

The team considers Nerica (New Rice for Africa) as a good potential option for this purpose. Nerica is ahybrid crossbred African and Asian rice, which has more than 3,000 varieties. Some distinctive features of
Nerica, include that it is strong in withstanding disease and dryness, and produces higher yields. Farmers
can cut the production period, and harvest it twice or three times a year.

There is an organization named CHAP experimenting with Nerica, which is providing trainings in Liberia.
According to CHAP, the productivity of Nerica in Liberia is about four MT per ha. Farmers learn thenecessary skills to grow it, in an average of two years. CHAP provides basic skills training in the first year
and advanced skills training in the second year.

Farmers need to buy a USD5,000 imported machine which includes functionality for cultivating andweeding. If DFP’s project incorporates the Nerica farming activity, it is necessary to think about how acooperative can purchase this machine and use it sustainably.

15

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) (2015), Liberia Market Study for Selected Agricultural Products
http://eatproject.org/docs/EATMarketAnalysisLiberia.pdf
Browsed on 30th March 201771

Conclusion
Diamonds are secretive in Liberia. People do not talk about them, unless a rumor of finding a big one goesaround. Diamond deals are usually sealed behind closed doors without leaving any transactional record,such as a sales receipt and/or valuation certificate.

Under these circumstances, supporters, miners and diggers cannot trust one another. Miners claim that
diggers (are trying to) steal the diamonds in the mining claims, and diggers claim that supporters and miners
tell them a lower, false sales price, in order to maximize profits.

Many people in the artisanal diamond mining areas feel that the mining activities have not benefitted theircommunities. In fact, the areas the team visited do not have paved roads, decent bridges, enough toilets andschools. The areas are off the main grid. The fact that people have mined diamonds for generations in thewestern region of Liberia, but cannot get out of poverty has made them feel deceived and angry. The teamthinks this is one of the reasons that trust has eroded.

The team met some people in the communities who have been trying to solve the issues by undertaking
self-initiated projects. On the other hand, the team met people who complain over their situation and are
waiting for someone to come to help them without proactively attempting to address their own issues. WhenDFP is ready to select a targeted community to implement the project, DFP would select a community with
self-initiated projects which speak to its people’s proactivity and motivation. The communities without selfinitiated projects need to apply good practices from other communities and start their own activities first.

Through conducting this survey, DFP came to know and understand the reality of the artisanal diamondmining in the western region of Liberia which has not been thus far documented neither through publishedprint materials nor on the internet. It is necessary for DFP to design the model project applying the lessons
learned through this initial assessment, and summarized in the next section.

72

Key Lessons Learned for Inclusion when Designing Model Project
In order for DFP to design a successful model project, with a view to ensuring that it is viable andsustainable, the following need to be incorporated:1.

Break the cycle of dependency on supporters

In order for miners/diggers to receive their fair share, it is necessary to break the cycle of dependency on
supporters. To break the cycle, they need to raise their income sufficiently to be able to manage their own
mining activities by: 1) mining a certain amount of diamonds and raising the production through improved
mining methods, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families; and/or 2) undertaking
additional income generation activities which can be done efficiently as side jobs.

2.

Include diggers’ representatives as members in a cooperative

The most marginalized group of people in the artisanal diamond mining sector are the diggers referred toas—“diamond boys.” Some people say that it is difficult to include them in a cooperative because they are
constantly on the move. However, if diggers and their interests are not represented, cooperatives will only
provide benefits to miners—which would likely result in exacerbated social tensions and an increased trustgap.

As explained in the major findings, some diggers do move after a period of a few months and others stayin one community for several years—as shown in the findings, 59% of those interviewed had lived in thesame community for over 5 years. While it may be impractical to include all diggers as members of acooperative because there are usually hundreds of them in an active mining community—a system ofrepresentation could be established.

Leaders (miners by trade) could be elected, by the miners themselves,to speak on miners’ behalf and represent their interests. In order to do so, diggers need to be organized.

Encourage diggers to organize themselves and to have regular activities
As stated in the previous section, diggers need to organize. However, there are only a few communities in
the western region of Liberia where this is currently the case. Most of these groups do not hold regular
activities, even if they have elected leaders. DFP may be able to work with these groups and support themin formalizing regularly-scheduled activities, as part of the model project. It is also necessary for DFP to
encourage diggers to organize themselves, elect their leaders democratically, and have regular activities sothat DFP can expand its projects to other areas in the future.

3.

Make record keeping a habit

One of the reasons that the artisanal diamond mining stakeholders have trust issues is that they do notkeep records of neither the sales transactions nor of the diamond valuations. If a supporter/broker issues a
receipt to a miner, the miner can show proof of the sales price and estimated valuation of the diamond to
the diggers which can provide a potential platform for building trust.

73

Additionally, writing meeting minutes may be helpful in decreasing the possibility of disagreement overdecisions reached at meetings. It is necessary that DFP raise awareness among its stakeholders on theimportance of record-keeping and the value of establishing a trail of documentation, as well as on
appropriate follow-up, as necessary.

4.

Raise awareness on the benefits of registering diamonds with GDO and encourage registration

The majority of miners interviewed did not know the importance of registering their diamonds with GDO
and felt reluctant to do so. They were not aware of the registration benefits—acquiring higher prices fortheir diamonds— and felt burdened by the associated time and transportation costs required in visiting
GDO.

As such, it is important to raise miners’ awareness of the registration benefits, encourage them to do so, andincrease the amount of diamonds circulating in the formal market.

At the same time, miners need to have valid licenses to register the diamonds with GDO. The major
roadblock for registration is the absence of a valid license, due to the associated renewal costs. Again, it isnecessary to provide additional income-generating activities, to ensure their business viability.

5.

Promote miners’ and diggers’ understanding about cooperatives

The majority of miners interviewed were familiar with the concept of a cooperative. On the other hand,none of the diggers had any familiarity. MLME and CDA need to raise awareness not only among miners
but also among diggers, as well as among the rest of the community members, so that the process oforganizing cooperatives will be smoother, and gain further buy-in.

6.

Set up economic incentives for cooperative members

In case miners and diggers are organized into a cooperative, its members need to work together on common
goals. It is important to clearly communicate benefits/incentives for the whole cooperative and forindividual members, in order to keep the retention rate high and develop adequate activities, serving theirneeds.

For example, incentives can be to facilitate access to microfinance or provide viable options to increase
their individual incomes. It is very important that a cooperative understands its members’ wants/needs andsets-up appealing economic incentives.

7.

Use the progress of self-initiated community project as an indicator

The team met town chiefs and mining chairmen who complained that people were selfish and were notinterested to work together towards the common good. The main activity of the model project will beorganizing miners/diggers into a cooperative and running/managing them democratically. It means that DFP
needs to select a community in which people have proven that they can work together harmoniously.

74

As an indicator for measuring the degree of how well people can cooperate with others harmoniously, theteam suggests the use of on-going self-initiated community project(s). As the existence of such a project
can serve as proof that people in the community can work with others, and can also serve as thefoundation for a functioning cooperative.

8.

Communicate project goals and objectives clearly

One of the risks the team expects confronting in the model project is confusion caused by the lack ofunderstanding of the project’s goals and objectives among stakeholders and beneficiaries. It is essential
for DFP to communicate clearly, break down content, use straight-forward language and visual aids, aswell as repeat the message through different media.

9.

Sustainability and exit strategy

Miners/diggers need to sustain their mining and cooperative activities. The model project needs to have astructure in which members can sustain their own activities after completing the project. In order to do so,
the project needs to use the resources available in Liberia.

Miners with Class C License are allowed to mine only a secondary deposit. They will deplete artisanal
diamond mining in the future. The day that mining does not bring them any income will come eventually.
The members of a cooperative need to be aware of this, and think about how they will sustain themselves
when diamonds are no longer a viable option in their community.

75

Tentative Plan of a Model Project
The team would like to present the tentative plan of a model project with consideration of major findings
and points to note. DFP has requested MLME to comment on the plan.

The idea is that DFP will implement the model project in one to three DMCs. When it is completed,stakeholders and DFP will analyze what went well, what went wrong and why. DFP will revise the plan of
the project and expand it to other DMCs in Liberia.

i.

Project Title (Tentative):

ii.

Target Area:

iii.

Project Period (Tentative):

iv.
v.

Target Group:
Implementing Organizations:

Fair Diamonds Model Project
1 to 3 Diamond Mining Communities in Western Region, Liberia (thenumber of the project sites depends on the funding)Preparation Period: April to September 2017
Implementation Period: October 2017 to September 2020 (3 years)
Artisanal Diamond Miners and Diggers
MLME, CDA, DFP

Narrative Summary

Activities

Overall Goal
Fair diamonds mined in the targeted diamond mining community in the Western Region of Liberia will be distributed to the international market.
Project Purpose
Miners and diggers have more income and their living conditions are improved by putting a structure to produce and distribute fair diamonds.
Outputs
0.

Activities
0-1. Criteria to select the pilot diamond mining communities is developed.
4 or 5 candidate diamond mining communities (DMCs) are
0-2.
shortlisted.
DFP in collaboration with MLME holds workshops in the shortlisted
0-3.
DMCs on the proposed project and DFP's vision and missions.
0-4. MLME and DFP select pilot artisanal diamond mining communites.
0-5. DFP will submit proposals to donors.
0-6. MOU among MLME, CDA and DFP is drafted and finalized.
MLME, CDA and DFP discuss about the TOR of the steering
0-7.
committee and select the committee members.
0-8. MLME, CDA and DFP will appoint steering committee members.

The project is ready to start.
- Pilot site is selected.
- MOU is prepared.
- Project steering committee is established.
- Funding is secured.

1.

The targeted artisanal diamond mining community has a mining
cooperative registered with GoL.

Miners, diggers and community members in the pilot community
receive awareness training on cooperative.
Miners and diggers wishing to establish a cooperative set up a
1-2.
provisional committee.
The provisional committee organizes a general meeting of all
1-3.
members for start-up.
Elect a provisional board of directors to prepare the constituting
1-4.
general meeting of the cooperative and set up by-laws committee.
The constituting general meeting officially creates the cooperative
1-5.
with its statues and by-laws.
Provisional board of directors do a letter of intend to CDA for
1-6.
intervention.
CDA conducts feasibility study to ascertain the current activities of
1-7.
the proposed cooperative.
CDA conducts training in basic cooperative principles, governance,
1-8.
leadership and financial management.
CDA reviews by-laws to ensure it is in accordance with CDA standard
1-9.
by-laws guidelines.
CDA issues pre-cooperative status permit certificate to allow
1-10.
proposed cooperative operate for 4-6 months.
Proposed cooperative conduct democratic leadership elections under
1-11.
the supervision of CDA.
1-12. Elected leadership- prepare a business plan
- hire a management team- secure funding- open a bank account- establish an office- have a signboard
CDA does due diligence and issues full fledged status to the
1-13.
cooperative
1-1.

- Representatives of all the mining stakeholders in the community.
- Balanced membership of men and women.
- Minimum 15 valid Class C License.
- Constitution and bylaws reflecting the voices of all the stakeholders.
- Criteria of membership- Defined structure of the cooperative- Elections for leadership- Registered with GoL

76

Outputs
2.

Capacity to run a democratic cooperative is developed.

2-1.

- Management team
- Understanding the role and responsibility of each member- Playing the role by each member- Linkage to financial resources- Agreements with stakeholders- Accountability- Transparency- Democracy- Inclusion of diggers, women, town authority etc.
- Community development

2-2.

2-3.
2-4.
2-5.
2-6.
2-7.
2-8.
2-9.

3.

Activities
Cooperative drafts, finalizes and concludes agreements withstakeholders such as supporters.
Cooperative receives training in the areas below:- management- record keeping- follow-up/refresher
CDA visits cooperative regularly to monitor
DFP provides assistance to day to day operation
MLME monitors the activities regularly.
Cooperative issues annual report
CDA audits the cooperative once a year
MLME and cooperative issue member ID cards.
Cooperative implements community development projects of its
choice.
MLME conducts workshops on the importance of registering
diamonds with GDO.

Traceability from mine to market is created.

3-1.

- Cooperative members understand the importance to register theirdiamonds with GDO.

3-2. MLME follows up the workshops and monitor the activities.

- The access to GDO is improved.

3-3.

MLME incollaboration with DFP decides how to improve the accessof GDO in the project site and implement it.
3-4. Cooperative register diamonds with GDO.

- The cooperative register diamonds with GDO.
- The cooperative sells diamonds to registered brokers then toregistered dealers who export them with tracking records.

3-5. MLME monitors the chain of custody (cooperative-broker-dealer).
3-6. Dealer exports diamonds from cooperative with tracking records.

4.

- Cooperative members understand the importance of fair practices.
- Cooperative members conduct fair practices.
- Cooperative members implement smart (efficient) diamond mining.
- Cooperative members know the fair price of diamonds.
- Cooperative sells diamonds with fair price (Registeredbrokers/dealers buy diamonds with fair price from the cooperative).

DFP provides trainings for income generation such as bee keeping andnerica rice farming .
MLME and DFP develops the training contents of fair practices such
4-2.
as- human rights and rights for miners and diggers- smart mining- environment, safety, and health- negotiation skills
MLME and DFP develops the basic education program on diamond
4-3.
evaluation.

- Cooperative is certified as fair diamond producing cooperative.

4-4. MLME and DFP provides the basic education program to cooperative.

- MLME agents conduct fair practices.

4-5.

Fair price and practices are introduced.

4-1.

- Cooperative can support mining activities on its own mining claims.

MLME, DFP and cooperative develop the fair selling scheme such as
auction.

4-6. Cooperative tests the fair selling scheme and modifies the operation.
DFP develops the standards to certify fair diamond producing
cooperatives.
Cooperative applies for the status of fair diamond producing
4-8.
cooperative.
DFP evaluates and certifies cooperative as fair diamond producing
4-9.
cooperative.
4-7.

4-10. MLME provides training to mining agents about fair practices.
4-11.
5.

MLME shares the information on the grievance mechanism to minersand diggers.

Pilot Project progress is publicized.
- Progress is publicized in Liberia.

5-1. MLME and DFP publicize the progress of the project in Liberia.

- Progress is publicized internationally.

5-2. MLME and DFP publicize the progress of the project internationally.
5-3.

77

MLME and DFP educate the importance of organizing diggers into agroup and encourage them to do so.

Way Forward
DFP needs to do the following prior to launching the model project.

1.

Select the targeted community

1-1. Listing all the DMCs in the western region
DFP will make a listing of all the DMCs with basic information in Gbarpolu County and Grand Cape Mount
County where the artisanal diamond production is deemed to be high. (Completed in April 2017. Please see
Annex).

1-2. Shortlist the DMCs
From the listing made in 1-1, DFP will shortlist the DMCs which satisfy the criteria below.

Criteria to select the targeted DMC

1

Criterion

Reason

The DMC produces a certain amount of

The DMC will have a diamond mining cooperative

diamonds.

and have activities with financial resources gained
through diamond mining.

2

Miners want to organize themselves into

Miners will be the center of the cooperative.

a cooperative and have at least 15 valid

MLME requires a mining cooperative to have at least

Class C Licenses.

15 valid Class C Licenses to receive an official
permit.

3

4

5

6

Diggers are organized into a group andPersons who speak on behalf of diggers need to be

have elected their leaders.

members of the cooperative.

The DMC has a self-initiated project to

To measure if people in the DMC can work withaddress their own issues.

other community members harmoniously. .

Miners, diggers and community leaders

Beneficiaries and key players of the project need tounderstand the vision and missions ofunderstand what DFP is and what the project is

DFP and the concept of the project.

about.

Miners and diggers allow women to enter

The project will implement activities which may not

the mining claims.

have been done before in Liberia. The beneficiaries
need to be open to new ideas and let women take partin mining activities/monitoring.

78

1-3. Follow up visits to shortlisted DMCs
DFP will visit the shortlisted DMCs, collect more information on 1-6 above in each DMC, explain DFP’svision, missions and the tentative plan of the project so that people understand and receive theircomments and/or suggestions.

1-4. Select the targeted DMCs
Based on the information collected in 1-3, DFP will discuss with MLME and select the targeted DMCs
for the project. When selecting, MLME and DFP will prioritize the DMCs.

2.

Modify and Revise the Plan of the Project

After DFP receives comments from MLME regarding the tentative project plan, DFP will discuss with
MLME and relevant stakeholders, modify and finalize the project plan.

3.

Secure funding for the Model ProjectConcurrently, DFP will write proposals and submit them to funding organizations. If a donor organization
provides partial funds, DFP will start the project in the highest prioritized DMC.

79

References
Central Bank of Liberia
https://www.cbl.org.lr/

Cooperative Development Agency (CDA) (Year Unknown)
Basic Steps in Forming an Association/Cooperative.

Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), Republic of Liberia (2009)2008 Population and Housing Census
https://www.lisgis.net/pg_img/NPHC2008FinalReport.pdf

Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) (2016)
Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2014, Statistical Abstract, March 2016
http://microdata.worldbank.org/index.php/catalog/2563/download/37616

Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy, Republic of Liberia (2016)
Regulatory Roadmap for the Artisanal Mining Sector in Liberia.

United Nations Development Program (2008)
Poverty and Social Impact Assessment and Strategy Formulation on Artisanal Diamond Mining Reform in
Liberia

United Nations Development Program (2017)
Human Development Report 2016 Liberia
http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/LBR#

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) (2015)
Liberia Market Study for Selected Agricultural Products
http://eatproject.org/docs/EATMarketAnalysisLiberia.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) (2016)
Commodity Intelligence Report, Egypt 2015/16 Rice Production: Yield Reduced by Extreme Heat
https://pecad.fas.usda.gov/highlights/2016/01/Egypt/Index.htm

World Bank (2012)
Artisanal Mining in Critical Ecosystems. A Look at Gabon, Liberia and Madagascar.
https://www.profor.info/sites/profor.info/files/docs/ASM-brochure.pdf

80Annex81

Annex 1: List of DMCs in the western region of Liberia and Margibi County

Gbarpolu County#

Mining Agency

1

Gbarma2

Mining Zone

PredominantMineral*MiningCommunity

Estimated
Population

Estimated
Number ofArtisanal
MinersEstimated
Number ofDiggers

Major Tribes

Major Religions andTheir Estimated Ratio

DiamondGbarma

4875

10

100+

Gola,

Christianity 50%,Islam 50%

Diamond

Beatoe

330

3

12

Gola

Christianity 75%,
Islam 25%

DiamondSirleaf Camp

250

10

150

Mende, Kpelleh,
Mandingo

Christianity 15%,
Islam 85%

Diamond

Yangaya

2000

25

500

Gola, Kpelleh

Christianity 60%,
Islam 40%

DiamondNjaboi

3000

6

100

Gola

Christianity 40%
Islam 60%

Diamond

Tarkpoima

3000

8

100+

Gola, Gbandi

Christianity 60%,
Islam 40%

DiamondParkers Town

2400

1

6

Gola, Kpelleh

Christianity 50%,Islam 50%

Diamond

Vaye Town

150

22

150

Gola, Kpelleh,
Lorma

Christianity 50%,Islam 50%

Diamond

Mecca

160

1

6

Gola

Christianity 20%,
Islam 80%

Diamond

Dewa

350

1

6

Gola

Christianity 85%,
Islam 15%

Diamond

Maboi

20

1

0

Gola, Mandingo

Christianity 20%,
Islam 80%

Diamond

Dabors Town

15

1

Gola

Christianity 10%,Islam 90%

Diamond

Tindowa

2500

2

35

Gola, Mandingo

Christianity 80%,
Islam 20%

DiamondSmith Town

2000

80

500

Kpelleh, Kissi ,Mandingo, Gbandi

Christianity 80%,
Islam 20%

Diamond

Bellekpalamu

900+

30

200

KpellehIslam 20%,Christianity 80%

Diamond

Weama

570

15

42

Kpelleh, Belleh

Christianity 70%,
Islam 30%

DiamondMolowamu

350

9

150

Kpelleh, Mende,FulaChristianity 80%,
Islam 20%

DiamondMatumuquelleh

1000

6

30+

Kpelleh, Mandingo

Islam 40%,
Christianity 15%,
Pagan, non Islam andChristianity 45%

Diamond

Yeamah

1500

33

200

Kpelleh, Mandingo

Christianity 70%,
Islam 30%

ZalekaiBlank cells: Information not available at the time of research, Gray cells: Gold dominant community82#

Mining Agency

3

Weisua4

KungborMining Zone

PredominantMineral*MiningCommunity

Estimated
Population

Estimated
Number ofArtisanal
MinersEstimated
Number ofDiggers

Major Tribes

Major Religions andTheir Estimated Ratio

DiamondBalla Bassa

5000

60

300

Mandingo, Bassa,
Kissi

Diamond

Weisua

2500

30

170

Mandingo, Kpelleh, Christianity 65%,
Mende
Islam 35%

Diamond

Bugbey60

5200

Mende, Mandingo

Diamond

Gbandi camp

30

3

20

Gbandi, Mende

Diamond

Kissi camp

20

3

15

Kissi, Gola

DiamondThomas Flomo
camp

15

2

10

Gola, Mandingo

DiamondGbuyama

80

9

50

Gola

Diamond

Saah Fineboy
camp

40

4

30

Kissi, Mende, Gola

Islam 95%
Christianity 5%

Diamond

City in the forest

35

3

18

Mandingo, Mende,
Gola

Islam 40%,
Christianity 60%

DiamondMattthew camp

30

2

10

Kpelleh, Kissi, Gio

Islam 5%,Christianity 95%

DiamondKewelleh camp

150

3

15

Gola

Islam 75%,
Christianity 25%

Diamond andGold

Kungbor town

1000

50

100+

Goal, Mandigo,
Mende, Kppelleh

Islam 60%,
Christianity 40%

Diamond andGoldCamp Alpha

4500

43

1000+

Mende, Mandingo,
Kissi, Gbandi

Islam 75%,
Christianity 25%

Diamond andGoldGbah town

80

11

40

Kissi, Gola, Mende

Islam 75%,
Christianity 25%

Diamond andGold

Beaden town

500

20

50

Gola, Mende, Gio

Islam 70%
Christianity 30%

Diamond and
Gold

Mbama

600

6

15

Goal, Mende,
GbandiIslam 65%,
Christianity 35%

Diamond andGold

Bassa camp

70

5

40

Bassa, Gola, Mende

Islam 30%,
Christianity 70%

Diamond andGoldBia-bia camp

60

6

35

Gola, Mende

Islam 10%,Christianity 90%

5BellehGold

6Henry town

Gold

7

BopoluGold

Blank cells: Information not available at the time of research, Gray cells: Gold dominant community

83

Christianity 50%,Islam 50%Islam 80%,
Christianity 20%
Islam 60%,
Christianity 40%
Christianity 80%,
Islam 20%
Islam 80%,
Christianity 20%
Islam 80%,
Christianity 20%Grand Cape Mount County#

Mining Agency

1

Kwallahun

Mining Zone

Estimated
Population

Estimated
Number ofArtisanal
MinersEstimated
Number ofDiggers

Manor River Congo

5000+

35

300

Mende, Vai

Islam (95%),
Christianity (5%)

Gold

Butter Hills

3000

Diamond

Benduma

2000 +

3

40

Gola

Islam (95%),
Christianity (5%)

Diamond

Conja

300+

2

30+

Gola , Mende, Vai

Islam(90%),
Christianity (10%)

PredominantMineral*DiamondMining Community

Major Tribes

Major Religions andTheir Estimated Ratio

Nyenkelhun*
Islam(90%),
Christianity (10%)
Islam (90%),
Christianity (10%)

Diamond

Jejuah

2000+

16

600

Gola, Vai, Mende

Diamond

Kwallahun

5000+

5

300

Mende

1000+

10

500

Mende

Islam(80%),
Christianity(20%)

20

100+

Gola, Mandingo

Islam(50%),
Christianity (50%)

Moila*
Mafapea*
Diamond

King Stone

Gold

Funor

Gold

Reed village
Bombo Dasalamo/Guasay

2

VarguayGold

Lofa Bridge

5000+

Gold

Tahn

3500

DiamondMana Gordua

2000+

15

100+

Gola, Mende, Vai

Diamond

Varguay

2500+

25

500

Gola, Vai

DiamondLofa Congo
Congo)

2000+

30

200

Kissi, Mandingo

Diamond

Marbon Zingbeku

1000+

7

160

Gola, Vai, Mende

DiamondGohnzoe

600+

17

100

Gola

Diamond

Marbon Wanga

500+

5

75+

Gola

Islam(75%),
Christianity(25%)

Jawa – Jei

600+

15

200

Gola

Islam(75%),
Christianity(25%)

WeasayGbenii
Mecca
Weajue Town
Todemei Town

1000+
1000+
872
2500+
350
Islam 50%
Christianity 50%(Diamond

Islam(60%),
Christianity (40%)
Islam(60%),
Christianity(40%)
Islam(20%),Christianity(80%)
Islam(90%),
Christianity (10%)
Islam(75%),
Christianity(25%)

Marbonn Mi Skina*
Diamond
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
3

4

Keita

Diamond

Keita Town

800

10

35

Gola

DiamondJennehmana Town

1000

2

50

Gola, Gio

DiamondGondor Town

1500

10

150

Gola, Kpelleh, Gio

Gold andDiamondGold Camp

1000 +

5100+

Diamond

Wealiqueh Town

925

11

15

1000

14

250

Gola, Mandingo

Islm 65%
Christianity 35%

490

40

120

Gio, Mandingo

Islam 45%
Christianity 55%

BangomaGold

5Mende, Mandingo,
Gola
Mende, Mandingo,
Gola

Islam 30%
Christianity 70%
Islam 50%
Christianity 50%
Islam 70%
Christianity 30%
Islam 75%
Christanity 25%

Bangorma Town
Gonnelor Town
Bo-Maffa Town
Damballa Town
Ducorbogorma Town
Bong Village

Camp Freeman
and Timber
Village

Diamond andTimber Village
Gold
Gold
Soso CampGold
Fula Camp
Diamond and Camp Israel (CampGold
Freeman)*Mining communities not accessible by 4WD or motorbike

Blank cells: Information not available at the time of research, Gray cells: Gold dominant community84Bomi County#

Mining Agency

Mining Zone

1

SUEHN MECCA

Sackie Town
Mining Zone

Nyuadee
Mining Zone

Big Geveh
Mining Zone

Gbah
Mining Zone

PredominantMineral*Mining Community

Estimated
Population

Estimated
Number ofArtisanal
MinersEstimated
Number ofDiggers

Sackie Town
Gbongor Village

1,000+
800+

12
7

100+
60

Gola, Mandingo
Gola

Islam, Christianity
Islam, Christianity

Major Tribes

Major Religions andTheir Estimated Ratio

Diamond
Diamond
Diamond,Gold
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond

Balikan Town

1000+

13

100+

Gola, Mandingo

Islam

Jahquaye Village
Thomas Camp
Nyuadee
Yomo Town
Willie Town
Barma
Geveh Fancy
Mona Town

10
175
1000+
700+
900+
500
800
200

2
3
20
5
3
7
3
3

12
20
60+
15
20
19
10
12

Gola,
Gola, Vai
Gola
Gola
Gola
Gola
Gola
Gola

DiamondGogehn Willie Town

1200

5

30

Gola

DiamondTarhr Town

400

2

20

Gola

Diamond

Guoyee Town

1700

7

35

Gola

DiamondJabajeh Town

1350

5

30

Gola

Diamond

Weasuah Town

450

3

18

Gola

Diamond

Gbai Town

230

6

30

Gola

Islam 100%Islam
Islam, Christianity
Islam, Christianity
Islam, Christianity
Islam
Islam
Islam
Islam 50%,
Christianity 50%
Islam 45%
Christianity 55%
Islam 75%
Christianity 25%
Islam 65%
Christianity 35%
Islam 85%
Christianity 15%
Islam 70%
Christianity 30%
Islam 80%
Christianity 20%

Diamond

Big Geveh Town

1900

8

35

Gola, Kpelleh

Diamond,Gold
DiamondGondor town

1,000+

5

20

Gola, Kpelleh

Islam, Christianity

Quienee Town

175

3

15

Gola, Kpelleh

Diamond

Small Geveh Town

550

3

12

Gola, Kpelleh

Diamond

George Town

250

2

20

Gola, Kpelleh

DiamondMecca Town

2500

5

25

Gola, Kpelleh

Diamond

Madina Town

350

3

13

Gola, Kpelleh

Diamond

Sumo Town

550

3

15

Gola, Kpelleh

DiamondFefeh Town

1050

4

16

Gola, Kpelleh

Diamond
DiamondGbah
Gray Village

500
23

7
2

15
12

Gola
Vai

Islam 100%Islam 90%
Christianity 10%
Islam 100%Islam 75%
Christianity 25%
Islam 85%
Christianity 15%
Islam 95%
Christianity 5%
Islam 70%
Christianity 30%
Islam, Christianity
Islam
Islam 95%
Christianity 5%

Gold

Golodee Village

950

3

20

Gola, Vai

Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
DiamondMotor Village
D-8 New CampBerville Village
Zoyee Town

175
650

2
3

10
7

Gola, Vai
Gola, Vai

DiamondMalaman Town

1500

4

30

Gola

DiamondJohnson Farm

900

2

15

Gola, VaiBlank cells: Information not available at the time of research, Gray cells: Gold dominant community

85

Islam 100%Islam 75%
Christianity 25%
Islam 75%
Christianity 25%

Margibi County#

1Mining Agency

Mining Zone

KakataPredominantMineral*Mining Community

Estimated
Population

Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond
DiamondGbofelah
Shermah Farm
Dukuly Farm
BenlahGneeganbo
Tomah
Zonkawokolly- Ta
Gbenyan-kpelley
Kpelleh Jacob town
AB Anderson Farm
Goo town
Francis Lewis Farm
Wolala town

2,000
1,800
1,000
2,500
700
1,000
1,500
900
500
300
300
50
500

Estimated
Number ofArtisanal
Miners
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
2
1
2
1
1

Estimated
Number ofDiggers
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
0
9
2
7
13
13

Major Tribes
Kpelleh
Kpelleh
Kpelleh, Mandingo
Kpelleh, Bassa
Kpelleh, Bassa
Kpelleh
Kpelleh
Kpelleh
Kpelleh
Kpelleh
Bassa
Bassa, Kpelleh
Kpelleh, Vai

Major Religions andTheir Estimated Ratio
Christianity
Christianity
Christianity, Islam
Christianity
Christianity
Christianity
Christianity
Christianity
Christianity, Islam
Christianity
Christianity
Christianity
Islam

Blank cells: Information not available at the time of research, Gray cells: Gold dominant community



#

1

Montserrado County

Mining Agency

BentolMining Zone

PredominantMineral*Gold

MiningCommunity

Estimated
Population

Estimated
Number ofArtisanal
MinersEstimated
Number ofDiggers

Gbonorkalai

151Pension town

80

Malamue

100

Major Tribes

Major Religions
and Their
Estimated Ratio

3

Kpelleh

Christianity 100%

1045

Gio, Kpelleh

Christianity 95%
Islam 5%2

10Kpelleh

Christianity 100%

Blank cells: Information not available at the time of research, Gray cells: Gold dominant community86Annex2: Questions to miners and their answers
Figure 1: Sex of interviewees (n=18)

Figure 2: Age of interviewees (n=18)

22%

11%

22%
70's

11%

Male

60's

50's

Female

40's
30's

28%

78%

28%

Figure 3: Religion (n=18)

Figure 4: The number of years you have lived
in this mining community (n=18)

0%

17%
22%
33%

>10 years

Christianity

11 ≦ a < 20 years
20 ≦ a < 30 years

17%
Islam

11%

30 ≦ a < 40 years
40 ≦ a < 50 years

67%
Other
(specify)

50 ≦ a years

16%
17%

Figure 5: The number of years you have mined diamonds

Figure 6: Education attainment (n=18)(n=18)
Not at all

6%

6%
6%

Grade 6

22%

5%

22%

>10 years

Grade 728%

11 ≦ a < 20 years

5%

20 ≦ a < 30 years

5%

30 ≦ a < 40 years

28%

33%

40 ≦ a < 50 years

6%6%

Grade 9Grade 12
1styear(College/University)
Arabic school

50 ≦ a years
22%

Figure 7: Do you read? (n=18)

French school

Figure 8: Do you write? (n=18)

5%

22%

Yes
39%

28%

Yes

No

Yes but Arabic only

11%

Yes but Arabic onlyNo
67%

Yes but French only
28%

87

Figure 9: How well do you write?

Figure 10: Do you calculate? (n=18)(Multiple answers allowed. n=17)
without
a problem

11%

simplesentences
Yes

numerical
numbers

No

Can write
Name
89%

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

number of people

Figure 11: What calculation ca you do?

Figure 12: Are you a head of the household? (n=18)(Multiple answers allowed. n=51)
division10

multiplication

10

22%

subtraction

Yes

15

addition

No

16

0

5

10

15

78%
20

number of people

Figure 13: Is mining diamonds your only source of

Figure 14: Annual Income (USD)

income? (n=18)(n=18)
6%11%

17%

a < 1000$

0%
39%

Yes

1000 ≦a < 5000$
5000 ≦a < 10000$

No

10000$ ≦a
44%

83%

Figure 15: Do you have savings? (n=18)

Not willing to disclose

Figure 16: Profit Sharing (n=18)
2%

22%

Miner
Yes

49%

Diggers

49%
No

Other's percentage
78%88Figure 17: Days of week you work (Multiple answers allowed. n=107)

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
Sun
1

3

5

7

9
11
number of people

13

15

17

19

Figure 18: The number of years you have mined in thisFigure 19: What kind of mining license do you have?

mining community (n=18)(n=18)
5%

28%

28%

a < 5 years

17%

prospecting license

39%

permit5 ≦ a <11 years

Class C11 ≦ a <15 years

Gold liscense
6%11%

Not sure

15 ≦ a years

44%

22%

Figure 20: The number of diggers you have (n=18)

Figure 21: Do you mine diamonds by yourself (n=18)

11%
6%
22%

0%

~5

44%

6~10
11~15

Yes

No

56%

16~20
61%

21~

Figure 22: Total volume of diamonds you foundFigure 23: Total value of diamonds you foundin the past year (carat) (n=18)

in the past year (USD) (n=18)

0%

7%

13%
a < 1000 USD6%
a < 4 carat

20%

46%

1000 ≦ a < 5000 USD

0%4 ≦ a < 10 carat
10 ≦ a < 15 carat

50%

5000 ≦ a < 10000 USD

15 ≦ a < 20 carat
20 ≦ a carat~

31%

27%

10000 ≦ a < 20000 USD

20000 ≦ a USD

89

Figure 24: Do you give diggers a daily wage?

Figure 25: The number of times per day you feed your(n=18)

diggers (n=18)

0%
6%

Yes
1 timeNo
2 times

94%

100%

Figure 26: Mining related expenses per month (n=18)

Figure 27: Who pays the mining related expenses?
(n=18)

11%17%
a < 100 USD
17%37%
supporter

100 ≦ a < 300 USD
300 ≦ a < 500 USD

miner

63%

500 ≦ a USD
55%

Figure 28: Do you know what Kimberley Process is?

Figure 29: Have you heard of the government’s idea to(n=18)

organize miners/diggers into cooperatives? (n=18)

Yes

22%

28%
39%

Yes

No
61%

No

Have heard about it
but don't know what
it means.

50%

Figure 30: Issues at diamond mines in this mining

Figure 31: Do you know what a cooperative is?

community (Multiple answers allowed. n=180)(n=18)

a) child labor

67%b) forced labor

28%

6%

100%

c) bonded labor

0%

78%

d) violence

22%

56%

e) environmental estruction

61%f) drugs/smoking grass

61%

44%

0%

33%
Yes

0%

33%

6%

NO
YES

22%

17%

No

DON'T KNOW

67%g) religious conflicts

100%h) illegal miners/diggersi) theftj) smuggling

0%

67%
28%

17%

17%

67%
61%

11%

6%
28%

90

Figure 32: Is there any existing group in this mining

Figure 33: Is there mining community’s self-

community which conducts activities proactively?

initiated activity/project to improve the living(n=18)

conditions? (n=18)
5%

6%

35%

Yes

Yes
39%
No

No

Don't know
56%

Don't know

59%

Figure 34: Do you think getting miners/diggers
organized into cooperatives beneficial? (n=18)

5%

6%
Yes
No
Don't know

89%

91

Annex 3: Questions to diggers and their answers
Figure 1: Sex of interviewees (n=17)

Figure 2: Age of interviewees (n=17)

0%

6%
18%
60's

18%
Male

50's

6%

40's

Female

30's
20's
23%

29%

10's

100%

Figure 3: Religion (n=17)

Figure 4: The number of years you have lived in thismining community (n=17)

0%

18%

a < 5 years
41%

Christianity

41%

12%

5 ≦ a < 10 years
10 ≦ a < 15 years

Islam

15 ≦ a < 20 years

59%
Other
(specify)

20≦ a years

12%
17%

Figure 5: The number of years you have mined

Figure 6: The number of times you moved after starting

diamonds (n=17)

diamond mining (n=17)
6%

18%

0 timesa < 5 years
41%

12%

35%

24%

5 ≦ a < 10 years

1 times ~ 3 times

10 ≦ a < 15 years

4 times ~ 6 times

15 ≦ a < 20 years

0%20≦ a years

7 times ~

29%

35%

Figure 7: Education attainment (n=17)

Figure 8: Do you read? (n=17)
6%

Not at all

6%

Grade 3
29%

17%

12%
Yes

Grade 5

Grade 6No

Grade 8

6%
6%
6%

12%

53%

Grade 9Yes but French only

Grade 11
Arabic School

6%

12%

Yes but Arabic only

29%

French school

92

Figure 9: Do you write? (n=17)

Figure 10: How well do you write?
(Multiple answers allowed, n=25)
without a problem

12%
simple sentences

Yes

12%

numerical numbers

Arabic onlyNo

Can write Name

76%

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

number of people

Figure 11: Do you calculate? (n=17)

Figure 12: How well do you calculate?
(Multiple answers allowed, n=40)
division12%

multiplication

Yes

subtraction

No

addition

88%
0

5

10

15

20

number of people

Figure 13: Are you a head of the household?

Figure 14: The number of family members you support(n=17)(n=17)
0%

18%
35%

Yes

a<5

No

5 ≦ a < 10

65%

10 ≦a

82%

Figure 15: The number of non-family members you

Figure 16: Is mining diamonds your only source of

support (n=17)

income? (n=17)

0%
18%
0

41%

Yes

0<a<4
23%

59%

4≦a<6

59%

7≦a

93

No

Figure 17: Annual Income (USD) (n=17)

Figure 18: Do you have savings? (n=17)

6%
6%

12%

0 USD

23%

18%

1 USD ≦ a < 100 USD

Yes
100 USD ≦ a < 500 USD

No

500 USD ≦ a < 1000 USD
1000 USD ≦ a < 3000 USD

29%

82%

24%

3000 USD ≦ a

Figure 19: When you have a hard time to make a living,

Figure 20: Who lends you money when you have a hard

who do you ask for financial help? (n=17)

time? (n=17)

5%
5%

9%

5%
no one5%23%

no one32%

friendfamily16%

friendminer
broker/supporter

miner
45%

neighbor

broker/supporter18%

family21%

Figure 21: Profit Sharing (n=17)

town chief

16%

Figure 22: Days of week you work
(Multiple answers allowed, n=99)

1%

Sun
Sat
Fri

Miner
47%

52%

Diggers

Thurs

Other's percentage

Wed
Tue
Mon
0

5

10

15

20

number of people

Figure 23: The number of years you have mined in thisFigure 24: How many years have you worked for themining community (n=17)

current employer? (n=17)
6%

24%

29%

18%

~ 1year41%

1 years ~ 4 years~ 1 year
1 years ~ 4 years

5 years ~ 9 years

5 years ~ 9 years

10 years ~10 years ~

24%
35%

23%

94

Figure 25: Total volume of diamonds you foundFigure 26: Total value of diamonds you foundin the past year (carat) (n=17)

in the past year (USD) (n=17)

0%

7%

0% 0%
a < 999 USD
25%

a < 4 carat20%

1,000USD ≦ a < 5,000USD

4 ≦ a < 10 carat
10 ≦ a < 15 carat

5,000USD ≦ a < 10,000USD

15 ≦ a < 20 carat

6%
67%

58%
17%

20 ≦ a carat~

10,000USD ≦ a < 20,000USD

20,000USD ≦ a

Figure 27: Do you get paid per day?

Figure 28: How many times a day does your employer(n=17)

feed you? (n=17)

0%

6%
6%

0 time18%
1 timeYes
2 timesNo
3 times
70%

100%

Figure 29: Do you know what Kimberley Process is?

Figure 30: Have you heard of the government’s idea to(n=17)

organize miners/diggers into cooperatives? (n=17)

0%
18%

Yes

24%

Yes

No
No

Have heard about it
but don't know what itmeans.

76%

82%

Figure 31: Do you know what a cooperative is?

Figure 32: Are there issues at diamond mines in this(n=17)

mining community? (Multiple answers allowed, n=170)
0%

10%

20%

30%

a) child labor

12%

40%

b) forced labord) violence

60%

70%

80%

90% 100%24%
100%c) bonded labor

Yes

50%

76%

0%
0%

65%

35%

44%

0%

56%

0%
NO

No

e) environmental destruction

59%f) drugs/smoking grass

59%g) religious conflictsh) illegal miners/diggers

88%i) theftj) smuggling

95

41%
29%

47%

0%
24%

29%
59%

59%

12%

0%

29%

YES

DON'T KNOW

12%

100%

41%

0%

Figure 33: Are artisanal diamond mining stakeholders

Figure 34: Is there any existing group in the community(mining agent, mining chairman, patrol man, miners,

which conducts activities proactively?

diggers) are getting along well? (n=17)(n=17)

18%

18%

Yes

41%

Yes
No

No

Don't know
41%

82%

Figure 35: Is there a community’s self-initiatedFigure 36: Do you think getting miners/diggers organizedactivity/project to improve the living conditions?

into cooperatives beneficial?

(n=17)(n=17)

12%

18%

29%

0%

Yes

Yes

No

No
Don't know

Don't know

59%

82%

96

Annex4: Questions to miners’ and diggers’ family members and other community members
Figure1 ：Characteristic of interviewees

Figure2: Interviewee’s relationship with household head

(n=35)(n=35)
Child 3%

Parent 6%

Community
members
43%

Householdhead(him/herself)
20%

Family of
diggersandminers57%

Spouse 71%

Figure3: Sex of survey participants

Figure4：Age of interviewees (n=35)(n=35: interviewees, n=32: household head/spouse)Male

18-19 yrs

Female3%20-29 yrs
Interviewees

31%30-39 yrs

11%
89%40-49 yrs

88%

Above 60 yrs

40%
14%

50-59 yrs
Household head/spouse

13%

Figure5 ：Ethnic group of interviewees (n=35)
Other
26%

9%
3%

Figure6 ：Religion of interviewees (n=35)

Gola 29%
Muslim40%
Christian
60%

Lorma 6%
Vai 6%
Mende
9%

Kpelle26%

Figure7：Age of household head/spouse (n=32)

16-19 yrs

Other
16%

3%

20-29 yrs

9%30-39 yrs

31%

40-49 yrs

13%50-59 yrs
Above 60 yrs
Don’t know

Figure8：Ethnic group of household head/spouse (n=32)
Gola
22%

Lorma
6%
Mende
9%

16%
3%

Mandingo
9%

25%

97

Kpelle22%
Vai16%

Figure9：Religion of household head/spouse (n =32)

Figure10：Hometown of interviewees (n=35)

Other country
20%

Same county,
other community
31%

Christian
41%
Muslim59%

Same community
20%
Other
county29%

Figure11：Length of stay in the current address (n=35)
Less than 6 mth

6%

6 mth～less than 1 yr

Other country
23%

11%

1～less than 3 yrs
3～less than 5 yrs

Figure12：Previous residence of interviewees (n =26)

Same county, othercommunity 31%

20%
0%

5～less than 10 yrs

14%

10～less than 20 yrs

23%

20～less than 30 yrs

17%More than 30 yrs

Othercounty46%

9%Figure13 : Cohabitation with household head/spouse

Figure14 : Residence of household head/spouse(n=35)(n =11)

Interviewees are household
head/no spouse 9%

Other country 9%

Same county,
other community
27%

No
31%
Yes
60%

Other county
64%

Figure15 ：Length of living separately with household head/spouse (n=10)

Less than 6 mth

50%

6 mth～less than 1 yr

20%

1～less than 3 yrs

20%

More than 3 yrs

10%
0%

98

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Figure16：Educational background of survey participants
Interviewees(N=35)

Household head/Spouse(N=32)

No education

49%

16%

Some primary

23%

6%
9%

Completed primary(Grade 6)9%Some secondary(Grade 7-9)

6%
9%
3%
9%
9%
9%
3%
3%

High school dropout
Completed high school (Grade 10-12)
Some university and collage
Completed university and collage

0%
9%
0%

Other
Don't know

28%

0%

20%

40%

60%

Figure17：Ability to read English by survey participants
Interviewee(N=35)

Household head/Spouse(N=32)
31%

Yes

56%

No

69%

41%
0

Don't know

3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Figure18：Ability to write English by survey participants
Interviewee(N=34)
No

Household head/Spouse(N=32)

Can write my name

28%
32%

13%
12%

Can write some sentences
6%

Can write without a problem

50%

34%
22%

0 3%

Don’t know
0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Figure19：Ability to conduct simple calculations by survey participants
Interviewees(N=35)

Household head/Spouse(N=32)
100%
97%

Yes
0%
3%

No
0%

20%

40%

99

60%

80%

100%

Figure20：Occupations of Interviewees(Multiple ans. allowed,
Miner 4%n=49)(Multiple ans. allowed,

Other 6%

Prepare meals for
diggers 6%
Smallbusiness
45%

None 6%

Figure21： Occupations of household head/spouseSupporter2%
Burn charcoal
5%
Small business7%

Other 7%
Digger33%

Farmer12%

Digger 10%

Farmer
22%

Miner
33%

Figure22：Interviewees’ perception towards the occupation ofhousehold head/spouse (n=29)
Other3%
Not satisfied
24%

Satisfied
72%

100

n=42)

Agriculture
Figure23：Type of crops growing (Multiple ans. allowed, n=71)
Cassava
Bitter ballPepperRice
Okro
Sweet potato
Plantain
Eggplant
Beans
Eddo
Yam
Other

15%
13%
11%
10%
8%
8%
7%
4%
4%
4%
4%
10%
0%

2%

4%

6%

Figure24：Sales of crops (n=14)

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

Figure25：Owner of the farm field (n=14)
Don’t know
14%

No 7%
Other
14%

Yes 93%
Community
21%

Figure26：Rent of the farm field (n=14)
Don't know
14%

Yes
0%

No (Free of charge)
86%

101

Interviewe
es/Householdhead/Spouse50%

Life in the village
Figure27：Number of people in the household (n=34)
1-4 persons

18%

5-8 persons

44%9-12 persons

29%

13-16 persons

9%
0%

10%

20%

Figure28：Number of meals per day (n=35)

30%

40%

50%

Figure29：Persons who prepare meals(Relationship with household head) (n=30)
Multiple
persons(Wife/mother/daughter/sister) 10%

Once
43%

Daughter
10%

Twice
57%

1-4 persons

Cassava
6%50%

9-12 persons

27%

13-16 persons
17-20 persons

Figure31：Staple food (n=35)

10%

5-8 persons

Wife
60%

Sister13%

Figure30：Number of dishes to prepare for a meal (n =30)

More than 21 persons

Interviewee(Female
without spouse) 7%

10%
0%
3%
Rice
94%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Figure32：Other foods to eat frequently (Multiple ans. allowed, n=110)
Cassava

28%

Potatoes

16%

Eddoes15%

Plantain

14%

yam

4%

Cassava leaves

2%

Dumboy3%Banana

4%

Fufu

8%

Other

6%
0%

5%

10%

102

15%

20%

25%

30%

Figure33：Place to get foods

Figure34：Means of transportation to get foods(Multiple ans. allowed, n=63)(Multiple ans. allowed, n=48)
By car10%

Buy from shops
29%

Buy from market
24%

By
motorcycle
25%
Buy from friends
neighbors
24%

By walk
65%

From the own farm
24%

Figure36: Existence of a child/children who

Figure35：Times to get foods (n=35)

go to school in the household (n=35)
1～10 mins

43%

11～30 mins

17%

31 mins～less than 1 hrs

14%

1hr～less than 1.5 hr

No
49%

9%

1.5～less than 2 hrs

Yes
51%

3%

More than 2 hrs

14%
0%

50%

Figure37：Means of transportation to go to school (n=20)

Figure38：Times to go to school (n=18)
31 mins～1 hrs 6%

By motorcycle
10%11～30 mins
17%

1～10 mins
78%

By walk
90%

Figure39：Health status of household members in the past twelve months (Multiple ans. allowed, n=64)
Malaria
Fever, diarrhea, coughPregnancy/child-birth related
Typhoid
Other
Other chronic conditions
Back pain
Paralysis
Heart attack
Surgery
Tuberculosis
Noone got sich

28%
25%
14%
8%
6%
5%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
3%
0%

5%

103

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Figure40：Behavior seeking medical treatment when

Figure41：Type of health facilities go for treatment

interviewees or family member fell sick (n=35)(Multiple ans. allowed, n=64)

No
3%Pharmacy 3%
Private clinic 6%
Government hospital42%

Yes (seek medical
treatment)
97%

Government clinic
47%
Government health
center 3%

Figure42：Time to access to h the health facility

Figure43：Cost to reach to the health facility (n=34)(one way) (n=34))
Less than 10 mins

15%

0USD

10～ less than 30 mins

41%

21%

30mins ～ less than 1 hr

12%

1 ～less than 1.5 hr

0.1～less than 5 USD

47%

6%

1.5 ～ less than 2 hrs

5～less than 10USD

18%

More than 2 hrs

9%

26%

Don't know

10～less than 25USD

3%
0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

3%
0%

10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Figure44：Reasons not to seek treatment at health facility(n=8)
No time13%
Financialdifficulty13%

No healthfacility nearby
50%

Do not feel the
need
25%

Figure45：Availability of electricity (n=35)
Yes
20%

Figure46：Type of lighting facility (n=35)
Oil lamp/Jack-o’-lantern
3%
Electricity
20%

Chinese lamp
29%

No
80%

104

Flashlight/Torch49%

Figure47：Number of rooms (n=35)
Fiverooms 6%

Figure48：Availability of bathing facility (n=35)

Six rooms 3%

Four rooms14%

No 14%

Three rooms40%

Two rooms
17%
One room
20%

Yes
86%

Figure49：Type of fuels for cooking (n=35)

Figure50：Place for cooking (Multiple ans. allowed,
n=37)

Wood andcharcoal
20%

Outdoors
16%
Wood
49%

In the house16%

Charcoal31%

In a separatebuilding
35%

On a porch
32%

Figure51：Place to defecate (Multiple ans. allowed, n=38)
No facility/bush/field

63%

Other

8%

[Improved, not shared] flush/pour flush to septic tank8%

Hanging toilet/hanging latrine

5%

Pit latrine without slab/open pit

5%[Shared] pit latrine with a slab

5%

[Shared] flush/pour flush to septic tank

5%0%

Figure52：Distance to toilet/sanitation facility (n=35)
501-1000 meters
9%301-500 meters
9%Within 100 meters
34%

In household
premises
17%
101-300
meters
31%

105

20%

40%

60%

80%

Figure53：Place to go for drinking water

Figure54：Distance to water source (n=35)(Multiple ans. allowed, n=37)
Unprotected dug well 3%
In household premises
Surface water (e.g.
river/lake/pond/stream/
canal) 27%
Hand pump/protected
dug well70%

9%Within 100m

37%

101-300m

37%

301-500m

11%

501-1000m

3%

More than 1km

3%0%Figure55：Means to purify drinking water (n=35)

10%

20%

30%

40%

Figure56：Places to dispose solid waste(Multiple ans. allowed, n=36)
Just thrown outside thehouse 8%

Boiled3%

In the waste dust bin
nearby14%

No treatment
29%

Bleach/chlorine
added
69%

Figure57：Possession of land (n=35)

Garbage dumping
ground nearby
56%

Bush
22%

Figure58：Possession of farm animal (n=35)

Yes（Not in the village）9%

No
40%
No
51%

Yes (In the village)
40%

Yes
60%

Figure59：Types of farm animal (n=23)
Goat
9%

Dog
4%

Figure60：Numbers of farm animal (n=21)
More than 16
14%
1-5
38%

11-15
14%

Chiken
87%

6-10
33%

106

Figure61：Possession of goods in the household(n=35)
mobile phonecomputer/table 3%
radio
TV
14%
motorcycle
23%
generator
17%

66%

34%
97%

51%

49%
86%
77%
83%

0%

20%

40%

60%
Yes

80%

100%

No

Figure62：Numbers of mobile phone in household (n=23)

Figure63：Means to collect information(Multiple ans. allowed, n=40)

Don’t know 4%

Radio
13%

Three
22%

Work place 3%

One
52%

Friends, neighbours
85%

Two
22%

Figure64：Entertainment in communities(Multiple ans. allowed, n=49(male), n=49(female))
12 13

Go to club
Play football/watch football
Play kick ball
Go to palava hut and dance
Go to video club
Talk with friends
Drink alcohol
Watch movies at friends house
Go to shop selling alcohol
NoneDon’t know

16

7

0

5
5
5
5

2
1
1
1
1
1
1

0

Male

2

Female
7
2

8

3

0

5

10

15

20

Figure65：Persons seeking advice (Multiple ans. allowed, n=43(male), n=40(female))Town(village) chief
Chair lady
Chair person
Family member
Traditional chief
Police, court
Religious leader
Other

27

16
15

0
6

3
2
2
12
12
12
0
0

Male
Female
3
5

10

107

15

20

25

30

No of answers

No. of answers

Community organization
Figure66：Memberships of community organization (n=35)

Figure67：Types of community organization(Multiple ans. allowed, n=33)
Agriculture 6%
Friendship
12%

No
46%

Yes
54%

Religion 3%
Financing
39%

Tribal15%
Community
development
24%

Figure68：Numbers of membership

Figure69：Registration fee for joining organization(Multiple ans. allowed, n=38)(Multiple ans. allowed, n=35)

1-5 persons
6-10 persons
11-20 persons
21-50 persons
51-100 persons
101-200 persons
201-300 person
More than 301
Don’t know

0%
8%

Don’t know
14%

16%
18%
11%
11%

No
49%

5%
3%

Yes
37%

29%
0%

10%

20%

30%

Figure70：Amounts of registration fee (n=18)

Don’t know
39%

5-less than 10 USD
6%Less than 1 USD
28%

1- less than 5 USD
28%

108

40%

Household income and expenditure
Figure71：Household income of the previous month (October 2016: dry season) (n=35)
0 USD
1-25 USD
26-50 USD
51-100 USD
101-300 USD
301-600 USD
601-1,000 USD
1,001～2,000 USD
More than 2,001 USD
Don’t know

14%
17%
20%
6%
20%
3%
0%
3%
3%
14%
0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Figure72：Major source of income

Figure73：Stability of monthly income throughout a year

(Multiple ans. allowed, n=48)(n=35)

Burn charcoal
2%
Fisher4%
Farmer10%

Don't know
3%

Other
13%

Digger
15%

Yes
6%

Small business40%

No (Not stable throughout a year)
91%
Miner
17%

Figure74：Season with more income (n=31)

Figure75：Major source of income in dry season(Multiple ans. allowed, n=57)
Fisher 4%

Rainy season
6%

Other 9%Smallbusiness
37%

Burn charcoal 5%
Digger
12%
Miner
14%

Dry
season94%

Farmer19%

Figure77：Major source of income in rainy season
Figure76：Season with more expenditure (n=31)
Dry season
3%(Multiple ans. allowed, n=57)
Fisher
5%

Other
5%

Digger7%

Smallbusiness
44%

Miner
12%
Rainy season
97%

None
14%

109

Farmer14%

Figure78：Household annual income (n=35)
0 USD
1-25 USD
26-50 USD
51-100 USD
101-300 USD
301-600 USD
601-1,000 USD
1,001～2,000 USD
More than 2,001 USD
Don’t know

29%
3%
9%
6%
14%
6%
0%
0%
11%
23%
0%

5%

10%

Figure79：Food expenses per month (n=29)
0 USD
0.1-25 USD
26-50 USD
51-75 USD
76-100 USD
101-250 USD
251-500 USD
More than 501 USD
Don’t know

20%

25%

0 USD
10%
7%
7%

23%

0.1-25 USD

53%

26-50 USD
33%
37%

3%
0%
3%

7%

51-75 USD

13%

76-100 USD

0%101-250 USD

0%251-500 USD

10%

30%

Figure80：Travel expenses per month (n=30)

0%

0%

15%

20%

30%

40%

Figure81：Water, electricity and housing expenses per

3%
0%

20%

40%

60%

Figure82：School expenses per month (n=29)

month (n=29)
0 USD
0.1-25 USD
26-50 USD
51-75 USD
76-100 USD
101-250 USD
251-500 USD

66%

0 USD

24%

0.1-25 USD

0%
0%
0%
7%
3%
0%

20%

40%

60%

0%

51-75 USD

3%

76-100 USD

0%101-250 USD

3%
0%

20%

0.1-25 USD

57%
13%

0.1-25 USD

7%26-50 USD

0%51-75 USD

0%76-100 USD

0%76-100 USD

3%101-250 USD

0%

3%
20%

40%

60%

110

80%

90%

0%

0%

60%

Figure84：Land lease fees per month (n=30)

51-75 USD
101-250 USD

40%

0 USD

27%

26-50 USD

34%

26-50 USD

80%

Figure83：Medical expenses per month (n=30)

0 USD

59%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Figure85：Business expense per month (n=28)
0 USD
0.1-25 USD
26-50 USD
51-75 USD
76-100 USD
101-250 USD
251-500 USD
501 USD

Figure86：Expenses for entertainment (n=30)

61%
0 USD

7%
11%
4%
0%
4%
7%
7%
0%

20%

53%

0.1-25 USD

40%

26-50 USD
40%

60%

80%

Figure87：Sex of the decision maker of household account

7%
0%

20%

40%

60%

Figure88：Saving behavior (n=14)(n=35)DO YOU HAVE SAVINGS?
Male

43%

Both

Don’t know 3%
Yes
40%

31%

Female

26%
0%

10%

20%

30%

No
57%
40%

50%

Figure89：Frequency of saving (n=14)
Daily
2-3 times a week
WeeklyOnce in two weeks
Monthly
Once in two months
No fixed patternFigure90：Amount of saving in one time (n=14)

7%
0%
29%
7%
29%
7%
21%
0%

10%

20%

Below 10 USD

21%

11～50 USD

21%

51～100 USD

14%101～250 USD

14%

251～500 USD

7%

Don’t know
30%

Figure91：Place for saving (n=14)

21%
0%

5%

10%

15%

25%

Figure92：Experiences of financial difficulties in thehousehold last year (n=35)
No
11%

Don’t know 7%
Other
14%

20%

Village saving
group
43%

Yes
89%

Bank
36%

111

Figure93： Means to cope household financial difficulties (Multiple ans. allowed, n=37)
Ask support from relatives/friends
Do as usual
Sell or lend valuables
Ask support from Susu
Start new job
Pray for god
Minimize household expenditure
Other
No answer
Don’t know

30%
27%
8%
8%
8%
5%
3%
0%
8%
3%
0%

10%

Figure94：Experiences of loan or sold valuable items

20%

30%

40%

Figure95：Persons who ask for loan or sold valuable(n=35)

items (n=11)
Don’t know 9%

Yes
30%

Others 9%
Family/relatives
9%

No
65%

Friends/neighbors
55%

Village saving group18%

Figure96：Reason for loan or sold valuable items (n=14)
Equipment/materials for work
Food
cost of lawsuit
Clothing
Health expense
House/landChildren’s education

21%
21%
14%
14%
14%
7%
7%
0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Figure97 : Interest rate for the loan (n=11)

No interest

18%

Less than 5％

9%5％～less than 10％0%10％～less than 20%

9%More than 20%

27%

Don’t know

36%
0%

10%

112

20%

30%

40%

Situation of mining site and challenges in the community
Figure98：Female labor in mining sites (n=35)

Figure99：Types of work by female workers in mining
sites (Multiple ans. allowed, n=31)
Cooking

35%

Digger
No 43%

35%

Selling items

Yes 51%

19%

Other

6%

Don't know

Yes(Gold
mining)
6%

3%
0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

Figure100：Problems in mining sites (Multiple ans. allowed, n=80)
theftviolenceillegal miners/diggers
drugs
child labor
environmental destruction
religious conflicts
Other
No
Don't know
smugglebonded labor
forced labor

21%
21%
16%
10%
10%
6%
4%
3%
5%
4%
0%
0%
0%
0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Figure101：Benefit from mining activity to the village

Figure102：Negative impact of mining activity to the(n=34)

village (n=30)

DO YOU/YOUR COMMUNITY RECEIVE ANY BENEFITFROM MINING ACTIVITY?

Don't know
15%

DO YOU/YOUR COMMUNITY RECEIVE ANY FROMMINING ACTIVITY?

Don't know
10%

Yes
15%

No
40%
No
71%

Figure103：Challenges in the communities (n=35)
ARE THERE ANY CHALLENGES/PROBLEMS IN THE
COMMUNITIES?

Don't know
14%

No
34%

Yes
52%

113

Yes
50%