Maturing the concept of small-scale mining (SSM) in the Global North using concept evaluation criteria on the placer mining industry in Yukon, Canada

Abstract

An empirical study of the placer gold mining industry in Yukon, Canada reveals how small-scale mining relates to large-scale and artisanal-scale mining, historically in the Global North and in the contemporary global context. This work significantly matures the concept of small-scale mining (SSM), despite its conflation with neighbouring concept ASM. Archival and ethnographic data gathered from the industry, community, and government informants (2021 and 2022) was interpreted using Concept Evaluation Criteria, which looks at definitions, characteristics, boundaries, and preconditions and outcomes. Legislation in Yukon does not specifically separate SSM from large-scale mining (LSM) by definition, however, it does offer differentiated governance according to deposit type (i.e., Placer Mining Act). A characteristic of SSM is full legalization and formalization, however, formalization is only possible if accessible legal frameworks exist (precondition). Formalization is possible through proactive governance, and industry-community-government dynamism. Market-protective legal frameworks effectively preclude SSM from participating in stock markets but small-enterprises use independent capital, or can access alternative sources of capital to evolve into medium-scale enterprises. The Yukon's slower, smaller mining industries have endured despite the co-existence of large-scale operations and they play an active role in modern wealth distributions, economic diversification, and sustained rural economies resilient to boom-bust economies. The implications of the research are considered in the context of diversification of mining and sociological solutions to diversify responsible access to ore deposits.