Resource nationalism and formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining in Tanzania: Evidence from the tanzanite sector

Resource nationalism in the mining sector has recently gained mo-mentum in the Global South (Kinyondo and Huggins, 2019; Haslam andHeidrich, 2016; Lange and Kinyondo, 2016). Many governments have amended mining laws to increase taxes, royalties, levies and fees to maximize state revenues. Greater government intervention in mining through acquiring shares or conducting actual mining operations is another policy strategy. Due to the limited positive spillover effects from large scale mining (LSM) to other sectors, many governments have developed local content policies, so that LSM firms are required to buy and employ locally (Kragelund, 2017; Kinyondo and Villanger, 2017). In ‘resource nationalist’- type reforms, many countries have focused on Large Scale Mining (LSM) while ignoring Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) (Kinyondo and Huggins, 2019). Indeed, there is limited discussion of ASM within academic or policy debates over resource nationalism (Perks, 2012). However, policies effecting LSM have in-direct impacts on ASM, as the two usually work in adjacent areas andare connected through various relations of conflict and cooperation. Royalty and taxation schemes, and beneficiation policies, effect ASM. Furthermore, discourses around LSM can influence policy on ASM. This article makes a contribution to existing knowledge by examining how resource nationalism influences formalization of ASM in the tanzanite sector, as resource nationalist policy goals and political narratives implicitly priorities particular aspects of formalization.