Abstract

• Major focus is on the study of livelihoods, challenges and opportunities of artisanal oil mining in Minhla Township, Magway Region. Artisanal or subsistence mining is generally defined as mining that relies on physical work force and simple tools, such as ordinary hand tools or ‘light’ machinery. Therefore, the objectives of research are to investigate the socioeconomic characteristics of artisanal oil miners, to assess the soil, water and air qualities at artisanal oil mining site and to study occupational safety and health at mining area. This research relies on both qualitative and quantitative research methods, semi-structured interviews and field surveys. Respondents were chosen among a random selection of artisanal miners, stakeholders and local people. In addition, field surveys conducted for sample data collection as well as air quality, water quality and soil contamination at Htan Kaing artisan oil mining area. These samples were experiment at the field and laboratory of University Research Center (URC) Lab, University of Magway. According to the results of structure interviews, reasons for becoming artisanal oil miners as their livelihoods being mostly economic, they earned on average over 300,000 kyats per month. Compared to Myanmar’s average monthly income of approximately 169,000 kyats (Labour Force Survey 2017). The miners earned more than 30% what they earned before becoming artisanal miners. This is a major opportunity for artisan oil miners. Occupational safety and health are major challenges of artisanal oil miners. The result of lab experiment and field survey, on air quality of artisanal oil mine site, shows during the operating time, high impact on air pollution but low impact on break time and after operating time and nearby oil mining site. This paper clearly describes that water and soil from the study area has iron (Fe) content is greater than acceptable level of WHO standard. Many oil miners do not use any safety equipment, that is highly vulnerable to occupational safety and health.