Communities and Small-scale Mining (CASM) is a multi-stakeholder forum aimed at promoting  sustainable development of  communities  affected by  or involved in  artisanal and  small-scale mining in  developing countries. Communities and Small-scale Mining has been established through the inaugural meeting held on 27-28th March 2001 in London. A core group of sponsors including DFID, World Bank, ILO, UN, and French institutions have made commitments in principle to resourcing CASM. Other agencies are invited to collaborate with participating organizations on this initiative.

CASM was developed following a series of international meetings, that identified the need for integrated solutions to the problems of the sector and improved cooperation between the various institutions. In response to this, the World Bank developed a proposal to establish a Collaborative Group for Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (CASM) later to be renamed Communities and Small-scale Mining. The goal of this proposal is to establish an umbrella forum that would provide a coordinated approach to assessing and addressing some of the problems within this sub-sector and disseminating pertinent information on activities. This document reflects CASM’s main components. Revisions to the charter may be made by decision of the Strategic Management Advisory Group.

A.  Mission
The Mission of the Communities and Small-scale Mining (CASM) is to reduce poverty by supporting integrated sustainable development of communities affected by or involved in artisanal and small-scale mining in developing countries. It will achieve this mission by:

• Mitigating or eliminating the negative environmental, social and cultural effects of artisanal and small-scale mining on affected communities;
• Reducing the occupational health and safety risks to the miners;
• Improving the policy environment and institutional arrangements governing small-scale mining;
• Increasing the productivity and improving the livelihoods of miners;
• Working to allow communities alternative livelihoods through effective integrated use of their natural resource capital by conservation of biodiversity in affected areas.

CASM has aligned its goals with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Achieve universal primary education
• Promote gender equality and empower women
• Reduce child morality
• Improve maternal health
• Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
• Ensure environmental sustainability
• Develop a global partnership for development.

In particular, CASM will:

1. Co-ordinate and network between stakeholders;
2. Exchange information on emerging experience and facilitate coordination between bilateral and multilateral programs addressing similar concerns, incorporating both the social, economic and cultural poverty aspects and the technical aspects of the situation affecting small scale miners;
3. Act as a mechanism to facilitate matching projects and proposals with funding sources.

To achieve this CASM will:

1. Mobilize and leverage donor resources and facilitate fund matching;
2. Use the expertise and economies of scale and scope available from an integrated, multi donor work program, forging intersectoral linkages and strategic partnerships;
3. Distill, extract and disseminate good practice and lessons learned on a hands on basis, and develop tools and principles that can be replicated in other projects.

 B.  Relationship with Programs of Participating Sponsors

CASM will complement other multi-donor facilities and bilateral initiatives of potential relevance to its mission and work program. In areas of common interest or concern, co-financing with other programs will be considered.
The World Bank Group is a participating donor in CASM and will also initially manage the facility on behalf of Sponsors. To the maximum extent feasible, similar complementarities will be sought from other participating Sponsors.

 C.  Sponsors
CASM is open to contributions from development agencies, international financial institutions and other agencies, including industry bodies, companies, foundations and other donors. Contributions can be in cash or in kind or through the mobilization of resources.

 D.  Interface with Partners
Successful design and execution of CASM's mandate requires a close understanding of the needs, constraints and priorities of partners including civil society, governments, NGOs and other organisations. CASM will facilitate a range of strategies with these partners to meet its objectives. Examples of these strategies are, amongst others:

• The development of regulatory frameworks and licencing schemes that protect the rights of communities and miners;
• Facilitating multi-stakeholder monitoring functions with respect to environmental and social performance;
• Assisting mining cooperatives in the development of entrepreneurial activities-in both quantity and quality;
• Encouraging approaches that embody an understanding of social, cultural, political, environmental and economic context of mining activities.

CASM will promote the dissemination of key findings and other relevant information.

 E.  Governance and Organizational Structure
CASM is a multi-sponsor initiative directed by participating sponsors. The governance structure of CASM will include a Strategic Management Advisory Group (SMAG), Regionial CASMs and a CASM Secretariat. CASM will utilize regional networks to enable two-way information exchange with practitioners and to enable the transfer of learning between practitioners in the different regions.

Strategic Management Advisory Group
Contributors to CASM may be represented on the SMAG.

The SMAG will be responsible for:

1. Ensuring that CASM is adequately resourced to meet its objectives;
2. Being an advocate for small-scale mining issues with the donor community;
3. Developing policies for CASM and long-term strategies;
4. Providing broad guidance for CASM activities;
5. Reviewing the overall performance of CASM and its activities;
6. Providing in-house expertise from member institutions when appropriate;
7. Overseeing the work of the Secretariat.

SMAG will meet as required but at least once per year, and will establish mechanisms to provide appropriate supervision and guidance to ensure the effective operation of CASM.

SMAG will initially be chaired by DFID. Subsequent to the first year the Chair can rotate. Decisions shall be made by consensus.

Regional CASMs

The Regional CASMs will be; CASM Asia, CASM Latin America, and CASM Africa

The Regional CASMs activities are as follows:

• Operate under the umbrella of the overarching CASM Secretariat
• Provide support on the ground for conferences and projects
• Receive partial funding from the Secretariat
• Leverage all funding received from Secretariat.
• Report to Secretariat on a quarterly basis
• Host an annual regional SMAG meeting
• Continuously seek new partners and build a broad supporting base.

Secretariat

The Secretariat will carry out the CASM mandate and manage its day-to-day operations. The Secretariat will report to the SMAG at least quarterly through the chair. It will initially be housed in the Washington, DC office of the World Bank.

The Secretariat will be kept small and focus on the administration of the CASM's activities. Key responsibilities will include:

1. Administer daily CASM operations and carry out activities;
2. Fund-raising;
3. Disseminating results of CASM activities and organization of meetings;
4. Facilitate fund matching of proposals and projects with funding organizations;
5. Co-ordinate with regional networks and strategic partnerships.
6. Report to SMAG.

The Secretariat reports to the SMAG through the Chair. Its work program and budget are annually agreed by the SMAG.

 F.  Financial Structure

CASM has established a multi-donor trust fund, to be administered by the World Bank. This TF will expire April 30, 2009 at which time it should be extended or another MDTF opened.

 G.  Reporting and Auditing Arrangements
Specific reporting and auditing requirements will be defined in the trust fund agreements entered into between participating Sponsors and the World Bank. The general structure of the proposed reporting and auditing arrangements are outlined below.
The World Bank, as trust fund administrator, will provide to Sponsors on an annual basis a management assertion, together with an attestation from the World Bank's external auditors, of the satisfactory performance of the procedures and controls used by the World Bank in administering CASM funds.

External reviews and financial audits of CASM activities may be performed at the request of the Sponsoring Group, individual Sponsors with respect to their contributions to Non-Core Funds, and World Bank management.

Financial statements are prepared in US dollars and on a cash basis. Contributions are recorded when received, and disbursements are recognized when paid rather than when obligations are incurred.