Towards sustainable activity in artisanal gold mining in Hoggar

The Algerian government issued many artisanal gold mining authorizations to formalize gold-bearing quartz vein mining within the Hoggar shield. However, as observed all-over the world, miners have no technical knowledge and not use basics prospecting tools during mining; generally, they don’t incorporate geology and mineralogy knowledge in mining practices. The objective of this study is to provide artisanal miners with recommendations to enhance the sustainability of their mining projects by employing rational and optimized exploitation methods. For this study, nine artisanal mine sites were selected within the Taskret gold field, at approximately 150 Km from eastern Tamanrasset. The ore deposits consist mainly of gold-bearing quartz veins hosted by metamorphic rocks. Firstly, we will conduct a comprehensive study of the mineralogy of run of mine (ROM) samples, including both ore and rocks, using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thin and thick sections will be meticulously prepared from the rock fragments and ores, enabling us to determine mineralogy and textures through optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX), and electron microprobe techniques. Gold grade determination will be performed using fire assay, while chemical characterization of other elements will be carried out through ICP-MS analyses. This holistic approach will provide us with vital insights into the geological and mineralogical characteristics of ROM materials, allowing us to make recommendations for enhancing the sustainability of artisanal mining practices in the Taskret gold field. Indeed, before any mining operations and ore treatment the good understanding of the ore mineralogy is very important to optimize the gold recovery and to minimize environmental impact of the activity. This project will significantly contribute to a rational and sustainable artisanal mining in Algeria, especially in the Hoggar, by giving scientific recommendation based on mineralogy of gold bearing minerals.