We are working to transform artisanal and small-scale gold mining, from mine to market
Improving understanding of the challenges and opportunities of artisanal and small-scale gold mining, in local communities and beyond
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COVID-19: The Latest Updates, Insights and Recommendations from planetGOLD and Partner Organizations
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#WorldEnvironmentDay: United for nature, toward a mercury-free Colombia
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New resources: How communications efforts can provide a more balanced view of ASGM
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Associations of female miners have become a network of support, care and response in COVID-19 emergency
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Artisanal and small-scale gold mining: What is it and why does it matter?
Making a world of difference in small-scale gold mining
planetGOLD works to make small-scale gold mining safer, cleaner, and more profitable. Our vision is a clean global supply of gold from small-scale miners.
Learn moreWhere we are making a difference
Knowledge Areas
The planetGOLD programme is working to eliminate mercury from the supply chain of gold produced by artisanal and small-scale miners by supporting improvements in these four areas.
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Awareness Raising -
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FormalizationIntegrating miners into the formal economy and regulatory system for the benefit of all -
Technical SolutionsReducing mercury use and improving efficiency with better practices and technologies
Featured
Resources
COVID-19 Awareness Raising Materials for Miners
As countries around the world cope with the impacts of COVID-19, it is critical to share key health and safety information with artisanal and small-scale mining communities, which are often among the most vulnerable groups. We have compiled materials created by projects working with the planetGOLD programme that are aimed at spreading key messages to ASGM communities to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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Reflections
A journey to the interior of Guyana
Malgorzata Stylo from the UN Environment Programme recently joined the Minamata National Action Plan (NAP) project team for a journey to the interior of Guyana, known as the heart of mining. This was an opportunity to learn firsthand about the life and practices employed by thousands of miners and community members from Guyana’s small-scale mining sector. Read her article to learn more about the intertwined social, economic and political factors that shape the small-scale gold mining sector in Guyana.
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COVID-19 Response
Reglas de Oro ("The Golden Rules")
As the COVID-19 health emergency has significantly impacted families in Ecuador, especially artisanal miners who depend on this activity to make ends meet, planetGOLD's partner project there has responded with a campaign titled Las Reglas de Oro, or "The Golden Rules," providing miners with practical advice for protecting themselves and others against the spread of the virus as containment measures relax and miners return to work. The program developed a series of 7 short videos and print material, which are available to view and download here (in Spanish).
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Voices
Why small-scale miners need our attention this Earth Day
On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we find ourselves confronting a pandemic that has reached every corner of the globe. Subsistence miners and other vulnerable groups in the countries where we work are the most deeply harmed by this virus and its economic consequences. The Global Environment Facility's Anil Sookdeo reminds us that making miners formalized workers with legal protections and mitigating environmental risks and biodiversity loss in mining areas are more important than ever.