Research Related to Metallic and Minerals

ABSTRACT
Despite the fact that ASM operation is very small, the combined economic and social impact is significant in many developing economies. It is estimated that within sub-Saharan Africa, ASM produces gold and gemstones worth about $2.1 billion. In Kenya for example, 60% of all mineral export earnings ($49 million) in 1992 to 1997 came from ASM activities; meaning that this is a sector that cannot be ignored. Due to the importance of this sector, this research found it necessary to do a study on the strategies that have been effective in relation to the continual existence of this sector. The research therefore sought to examine the strategies for effective performance of the artisan miners in Kenya’s Taita Taveta. The study was guided by four objectives that included: to examine the extent to which cost leadership strategy influences the performance of small-scale miners in Kenya; to establish how community involvement/participation strategy influences the performance of small-scale miners in Kenya; to examine the influence of modern technology adoption strategy on the performance of small-scale miners in Kenya; and, to establish the effects of access to credit and finance as a strategy in the performance of small-scale miners in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population was 512 respondents from the registered mines in Taita Taveta. A sample representative of 225 respondents was obtained as calculated by Yamane formula of 1967. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires consisting of both closed and open-ended questions. The research used content validity as a measure of the degree to which the data collected using the questionnaire represented the objectives of the study. The data collected was keyed and analysed by simple descriptive analysis using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 21.0 software. The data was then presented through frequency tables and narrative analysis. The response rate was 40% positive, meaning that 90 questionnaires were fully filled and returned for the study. The general trend of the results indicate that: 76.4% of the respondents agreed with the idea that cost leadership strategy influence the performance of small-scale miners in Kenya, 77.2% of the respondents agreed with the idea that community involvement/participation strategy influences the performance of small-scale miners in Kenya, 74% of the respondents agreed with the idea that the modern technology adoption strategy has an influence on the performance of small-scale miners in Kenya, and 66% of the respondents weakly agreed with the idea that access to credit and finance as a strategy has been effective in the performance of small-scale miners in Kenya. Alternative hypothesis was adopted after all the values of the calculated chi-square values being higher than the critical values. Finally, various future studies were suggested including a study being done to examine the influence of the mining bill of 2014 on the performance of artisan miners in the county; a case of artisan miners in Taita Taveta county.

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