illegalmining
Illegal mining is the absence of land rights, mining license, exploration or mineral transportation permit or of any document that could legitimate the on-going operations. Illegal mining can be operated on the surface or underground. In most countries, underground mineral resources belong to the state. Therefore, mineral resources can only be operated by a licensed operator according to the laws and regulations of the local government. Most illegal mining takes place in low-grade areas or abandoned mining sites. Low productivity and limited production are therefore the main attributes of illegal mining. However, there are exceptions. The size of a country of frequency of the illegal mining can turn micro-productions into a visible portion of a nation's overall production.