This paper examines programs that offer economic opportunities to indigenous small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) within the mine’s supply chain. We begin with a brief overview of the mining sector in Sub-Saharan Africa, the constraints faced by mining corporations, and some of the corporate responses (i.e. social mining programs). We then outline the rationale and general principles of local supplier development programs and present specific examples. We conclude with an analysis of our findings and some guidelines for future program design and implementation.
