Youth in artisanal gold mining: Risks and opportunities; the case of Asgede Tsimbla Woreda , Northwestern Tigray National Regional State, Ethiopia

Artisanal gold mining employs a significant number of people in Asgede Tsimbla Woreda, though the number is not actually documented. The sector serves as both temporal and permanent source of revenue for the youth gold miners. But the main worry is: Is artisanal gold mining a worthy employment area for the youth? In what kind of stuff do the youth gold miners yield the rites acquired through gold mining? Hence, this paper made a contextual analysis on the emergent risks and opportunities of the youth artisanal gold miners related to livelihoods and education. In doing this, secondary and primary data were gathered from youths, businessmen and teachers from September 2014 to August 2016 through interview and observation. In one hand, artisanal gold mining serves as a source of livelihood to the youth. On the other hand, youth engage in artisanal gold mining because agriculture’s productivity turns out to be disparaging and is uneasy to hastily acquire money in pressing situations. In the future, however, the amassed gold may perhaps run away and artisanal gold extractors unquestionably would mislay the basis of their livelihood. Key words: Artisanal gold mining, youth, Asgede Tsimbla Woreda.