Productivity and profitability: Investigating the economic impact of gold mining mechanisation in Kamituga, DR Congo

• Importance of investment and mechanization in ASM operations. Relevance distinction between 'artisanal' 'small-scale' mining. Processing equipment technology allow for economies scale. Innovation brings deeper deposits within the reach operators. In South Kivu Province eastern Democratic Republic Congo, use new technologies artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has proliferated over course last decade. Based on a case study ASGM mechanisation major town Kamituga, we investigate economic impact this process productivity profitability its Drawing wide range qualitative quantitative data, challenge common perception as traditional, conservative, unproductive. We demonstrate that contrary, operators Kamituga make sophisticated productive machinery their quest to profit from activities. With recent emergence ball mills other forms technology, production now carries distinctly character.