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.

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Where 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.

  • Mercury awareness campaign with miners and villagers in Sekotong Lombok Indonesia
    Awareness Raising

    Improving understanding of the challenges and opportunities of artisanal and small-scale gold mining, in local communities and beyond

  • Women with ledger in Philippines
    Access to Finance

    Unlocking capital flows to transform artisanal and small-scale gold mining

  • Panning Sierra Leone cropped
    Formalization

    Integrating miners into the formal economy and regulatory system for the benefit of all

  • Inside of a gold kacha concentrator
    Technical Solutions

    Reducing mercury use and improving efficiency with better practices and technologies

Featured

Cover of report on ASGM supply chain mechanisms

Resources

New Report on Small-Scale Gold Supply Chain Mechanisms

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining's predominantly informal nature, regulatory constraints, financial limitations, and difficulties in meeting compliance standards all present challenges for miners to access formal markets. 

 

This report assesses the efficacy of planetGOLD ASGM supply chain mechanisms — focusing on experiences from country projects funded during the program's first phase, with the objective of distilling key insights for similar ASGM market access initiatives.

  • Resources

    Getting responsible gold to international markets

    Often when artisanal & small-scale miners produce gold observing relevant environmental, social and governance standards, practical barriers to accessing international markets still remain. This report offers insights for securing a brighter future for the legitimate, safe and clean flow of artisanal and small-scale gold to market.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much mercury use does planetGOLD aim to prevent? How do people get exposed to mercury used in ASGM activities? How much gold does the ASGM sector produce each year? Where does gold go between the ASGM mine and the consumer market? Find answers to some of the most common questions that are asked about planetGOLD and about artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

  • Resources

    Best Management Practices for Cyanide Use in the ASGM Sector

    Cyanide is the current large-scale mining industry standard for gold extraction from milled ore, but can it also serve as a responsible mercury-free alternative for artisanal & small-scale gold mining? Explore the issue in this report.