ARM understands that working in the Artisanal and Small-scale Mining sector poses a long-term and complex challenge. As it evolves ARM continues to develop a diversified strategy combining communications, applied research, capacity building, networking, partnership and lobbying activities involving stakeholders from all sections of the metals and minerals supply chain. These activities are focused on 3 strategic areas of work: Standard setting, Producer Support and Communications.

Over the next 5 years ARM will continue developing standards for precious metals and gemstones, testing them in Latin America first and then in Africa and Asia in partnership with miners' organizations and producer support organizations on those continents so as to ensure that these standards are inclusive and context sensitive, as part of the process aiming to create a network of national support organizations to ensure that local organizations receive producer support.