Peer-reviewed research
Research built on field evidence
Gem Trail Lab publishes monographs, whitepapers, and field studies on artisanal and small-scale mining. Each assessment pairs laboratory methods with observation from the mining corridors it describes.
Selected publications
Monographs, whitepapers, field studies
Each publication carries its methodology, data sources, and citation key so readers can verify findings and apply them in their own work.
Monograph
Mining impacts and mitigation
A scientific assessment of environmental and social effects across artisanal gemstone sites, with mitigation pathways ranked by evidence strength and feasibility.
Whitepaper
Traceability in artisanal corridors
Benchmarks comparing traceability technologies across artisanal supply corridors, covering record-keeping, sampling methods, and where each tool loses custody.
Field study
Biodiversity beside mining land
Field observations of plant and wildlife recovery on land near active and former ASM sites, with survey methods and seasonal data set out for review.
Method
How we evaluate evidence
Every paper is assessed against stated criteria: the quality of its data, the transparency of its sampling, and the clarity of its limits. Findings are reported with their uncertainty rather than rounded into claims.
Field observations follow written standards for site selection, consent, and documentation. Where data is incomplete, we say so and name the gap that further work would need to close.