Programme Design and Basic Principles
The planetGOLD programme is a GEF-funded initiative that supports countries’ commitments under the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The programme works in countries around the world to eliminate mercury from the supply chain of gold produced by artisanal and small-scale miners by:
- Supporting efforts to integrate the ASGM (Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining) sector into the formal economy, society, and regulatory system.
- Introducing and facilitating access to mercury-free and best practices in ASGM.
- Facilitating miners’ access to formal gold supply chains, in partnership with gold buyers and industrial users.
- Piloting a range of models for access to investment and finance for small-scale miners and their communities.
The planetGOLD programme sets out specific criteria to govern the operations of ASGM entities engaged with the programme. These planetGOLD Criteria are designed to ensure that artisanal and small-scale miners participating in the planetGOLD programme undertake sufficient efforts to avoid, minimize, mitigate, and where appropriate, offset adverse impacts to people and the environment.
The planetGOLD Criteria align with the requirements of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the GEF Environmental and Social Safeguards, the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-affected and High-Risk Areas, and the Code of Risk Mitigation for ASGM engaging in Formal Trade (CRAFT). These requirements focus on protection of human rights and avoidance of corruption; specifically, to comply with these elements of the criteria, ASGM operations must NOT:
- Directly or indirectly support worst forms of child labor or forced or compulsory labor.
- Be involved or linked to any forms of torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment; gross human rights violations and abuses, such as widespread sexual violence; and/or war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide.
- Be illegally controlled or subjected to illegal taxation or extortion; fail to pay taxes, fees and royalties to government related to mineral activities; pay bribes; and/ or contribute to money laundering.
Additionally, the planetGOLD Criteria include three elements that are specific to the planetGOLD programme. These three criteria specify that, to be in compliance, ASGM operations must:
- Operate without the use of mercury, and cannot conduct cyanide leaching on sediment, ore or tailings to which mercury has been added, without first removing the mercury.
- Conduct outreach in a culturally appropriate manner to affected Indigenous Peoples to obtain consent for the project and mitigate any identified impacts; OR respect the decision of the Indigenous Community to deny consent.
- Observe all legal environmental requirements, practice pollution prevention and avoid working in areas of high conservation value.
Grievance Mechanism Overview
This mechanism is designed to provide a space for submission of grievances concerning the planetGOLD Global Project. The planetGOLD Global Project aims to provide positive impacts and is responsible for coordination among the planetGOLD country projects, for the creation of knowledge and communication products, and for the organization of certain events such as the planetGOLD Global Forum on ASGM.
If your grievance concerns the activities of a particular planetGOLD country project currently under implementation, please visit that specific country project page, which can be found here on the planetGOLD website, and address it directly via the mechanism provided.
What is a grievance?
A grievance is any concern, complaint or report about adverse impacts you and/or other affected communities have experienced. In this case it is a complaint about any adverse impact of the planetGOLD Global Project.
What is an accountability and grievance mechanism?
An accountability and grievance mechanism is a way to record and resolve grievances. The mechanism for the planetGOLD Global Project is managed by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), implementing agency of the project.
Why should you report a grievance?
This mechanism provides an opportunity for accountability and is essential to improving our operations and ensuring that activities executed by the planetGOLD Global Project positively impact the communities we serve. If you have a grievance concerning the planetGOLD Global Project, please continue reading and complete the form below.
Exclusions
What types of grievances are excluded?
Grievances related to a particular planetGOLD country project currently under implementation should be addressed directly to that project’s grievance mechanism.
The accountability and grievance mechanism will NOT consider grievances or complaints with the following characteristics:
- It is not related to the Project Agency’s actions or omissions during the design and the implementation of the GEF funded project.
- Two or more years have passed since the grant closing date of the project.
- It is frivolous, malicious, trivial or generated to gain competitive advantage.
- It is about non-operational housekeeping matters, such as finance and administration.
- It is the responsibility of other parties such as the government of a project country unless the conduct of these other parties is directly relevant to the assessment of the project.
- It relates to the laws, policies and regulations of a project country, unless this directly relates to project agency compliance with its operational policies and procedures; and/or
- It is about matters already considered by the grievance mechanism unless new evidence is presented and unless the subsequent grievance can be readily consolidated with the earlier.
Reporting a Grievance
Who can report a grievance?
Anyone affected by the work of the planetGOLD Global Project can report a grievance. You have the option to submit a grievance report anonymously, if you wish. If you choose to provide your name, we will not disclose it without your permission.
If you consent to the use of your name in public discussions, it will only be used in contexts related to this grievance.
When should you expect a response?
We aim to provide a detailed response or next steps within 30 days.
Follow up procedures:
You will be notified about the progress and outcome of your grievance through the contact method you provide.
Note: The form below is for submitting a grievance related to the planetGOLD Global Project. If you have a general inquiry or comment, please use the Contact form on this page.
If the form below is not accessible, please notify us at: [email protected]