Association between Education and Gemstone Mining Practices of Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58329/criss.v2i4.77Abstract
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Artisanal and Small-Scale mining (ASM) is ubiquitous throughout Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). It is a major source of livelihood sustenance for thousands of individuals who are directly or indirectly working as ASMs. This essay considers the association between the educational background of 300 ASMs and four scenarios, viz., (1) whether they are allowed to do mining in areas other than their villages, (2) whether they allow a non-GB person to do mining in their area, (3) whether ASMs have the right to sell mined gems to someone other than the shareholders at a price offered by the shareholders, and (4) whether they allow fellow villagers in their established mines while they are not working there. Using the Chi-Square test of association, we find a non-significant association between the educational background of ASMs and the first three scenarios listed above: the test results stand as χ2 = 0.109, χ2=0.063, and χ2=0.087 for the three scenarios, respectively. We found a significant association of χ2=0.000 concerning the final scenario, viz., whether respondents would allow fellow villagers to mine in their established mine or not.
Keywords:
Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners, Gilgit-Baltistan, Health and Safety, Mining, Shareholders and Association
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