Small-scale mining has been explained differently in many countries. The recognized is below show:”small-scale mining is generally defined in terms of a given production ceiling, or the level of sophistication with which minerals are exploited.”
Small scale mining and particularly alluvial panning of minerals is a relatively new informal economic activity, which has been sweeping across the world in the past two decades. The arbitrary nature of the activity and its intense dependence on water for the panning process and firewood for fuel has resulted in uncontrolled siltation of rivers and other water reservoirs as well as rampant deforestation.
Small-scale mining is any single unit mining operation having an annual production of unprocessed material of 50,000 tonnes, or less as measured at the entrance of the mine; and small groups who depend upon mining for a living; who use rudimentary tools and techniques to exploit their mineral deposits.