146
10.4.2.5 Economic Diversification
Findings show that SSM has the potential to foster regional sustainability if it is
considered a complimentary economic activity. Evidence shows there is a need to
foster alternative livelihood options along with SSM to achieve overall sustainability. More importantly, increasing the participation of indigenous communities to
discuss SSM governance priorities is a key factor for SSM sustainability: “Revenues
derived from mining, either SSM or large mining, are important to help miners plan
for reinvestment on mining and alternative activities such as transport, agriculture,
particularly in the context of mining regions” (Focus Group with Miners).
10.4.2.6 Geology and Mineral Processing
Miners perceive that capacity-building in geology and minerals processing will
assist them in becoming more effective to unleash the geological potential in
Bolivia. Similarly, they agree that stakeholders should contribute to build miners’
capacity on “the design of production plans that integrate calculations on mineral
production, prices in domestic and international markets; taxes and royalty payments; costs of supplies, materials, tools, machinery and equipment”(Focus Group
with Miners).
10.4.2.7 Strengthening Multi-stakeholder Collaboration
Multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential to guarantee sustainable SSM governance. Collaboration should involve universities, research institutions, indigenous
communities, as well as SSM leaders. “Such a collaborative approach should follow
the principles of inclusiveness and participation in alignment with the Constitution”
(Focus Group with Miners).
10.4.2.8 Marketing
Miners agree that one of the factors that hinders the success of SSM has to do with
poor commercialization and marketing channels. Designing better ways to commercialize SSM production in both local and international markets will increase
production as well as the reputation of the SSM industry. “SSM produces small
amounts of mineral material, therefore it is important to conduct marketing research
to identify competitive prices and emerging markets at the national level” (Focus
Group with Miners).
I. B. Franco et al.
10.4.2.5 Economic Diversification
Findings show that SSM has the potential to foster regional sustainability if it is
considered a complimentary economic activity. Evidence shows there is a need to
foster alternative livelihood options along with SSM to achieve overall sustainability. More importantly, increasing the participation of indigenous communities to
discuss SSM governance priorities is a key factor for SSM sustainability: “Revenues
derived from mining, either SSM or large mining, are important to help miners plan
for reinvestment on mining and alternative activities such as transport, agriculture,
particularly in the context of mining regions” (Focus Group with Miners).
10.4.2.6 Geology and Mineral Processing
Miners perceive that capacity-building in geology and minerals processing will
assist them in becoming more effective to unleash the geological potential in
Bolivia. Similarly, they agree that stakeholders should contribute to build miners’
capacity on “the design of production plans that integrate calculations on mineral
production, prices in domestic and international markets; taxes and royalty payments; costs of supplies, materials, tools, machinery and equipment”(Focus Group
with Miners).
10.4.2.7 Strengthening Multi-stakeholder Collaboration
Multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential to guarantee sustainable SSM governance. Collaboration should involve universities, research institutions, indigenous
communities, as well as SSM leaders. “Such a collaborative approach should follow
the principles of inclusiveness and participation in alignment with the Constitution”
(Focus Group with Miners).
10.4.2.8 Marketing
Miners agree that one of the factors that hinders the success of SSM has to do with
poor commercialization and marketing channels. Designing better ways to commercialize SSM production in both local and international markets will increase
production as well as the reputation of the SSM industry. “SSM produces small
amounts of mineral material, therefore it is important to conduct marketing research
to identify competitive prices and emerging markets at the national level” (Focus
Group with Miners).
I. B. Franco et al.