News & Voices

Bamako, Mali – 11 June 2026 – The Agency for Environment and Sustainable Development (AEDD), in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), officially launched the planetGOLD Mali project today in Bamako. The initiative marks a significant milestone in the Government of Mali’s efforts to transform the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector into one that is more formalized, competitive, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable.

À Ahounienfoutou, la formation renforce une conviction : mieux comprendre les risques du mercure, c'est mieux protéger la santé, l'environnement et l'avenir des communautés minières.

The planetGOLD Zimbabwe project is launching A Guide to Reforming Formalization of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Sector in Zimbabwe, a practical roadmap outlining how Zimbabwe can move towards a more inclusive, productive, environmentally responsible and formally regulated ASGM sector.

La poussière n'est pas une simple nuisance liée au travail minier. Lorsqu'elle est inhalée régulièrement, elle devient un véritable risque professionnel.

À travers ses formations in situ, planetGOLD Côte d'Ivoire rapproche les connaissances des réalités quotidiennes des acteurs de l'EMAPE, en combinant théorie, pratique et démonstrations. L'objectif est de renforcer leurs capacités en matière de santé, d'environnement, de techniques minières, de formalisation et de gestion de l'activité, afin de favoriser une exploitation plus sûre, responsable, inclusive et sans mercure.

Mercury dependency in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) remains a major challenge in the sector and poses environmental and public health risks. Continued reliance on mercury not only threatens the health of miners and surrounding communities but also limits opportunities to participate in formal trade that meets international market standards aligned with responsible gold sourcing guidelines.

The planetGOLD Zambia Project concluded a successful five-day exhibition at the 2026 Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show in Lusaka Province, held from 29th July to 3rd August under the theme “Fostering Trade and Investment.” The project used the platform to showcase research insights, Mercury-Free Processing Systems (MFPS), and ongoing efforts to transform Zambia’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector into a more formal and responsible sector.

On 29th June, the planetGOLD Zambia Project convened an Extraordinary Meeting of the National Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (NASGM) Technical Committee in Lusaka to continue reviewing the policy, legal and institutional framework and explore a pathway for the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector.

On 7th August 2026, the planetGOLD Zambia Project participated in a Government-led assessment mission to Lusangazi District in Eastern Province aimed at evaluating the area's gold mining potential while ensuring that environmental protection and responsible mining remain central to any future mining decisions.

Access to finance remains one of the challenges facing Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners (ASGM) in Zambia. With a growing population participating in ASGM activities, limited financial management skills, poor record keeping and inadequate business planning continue to prevent miners from accessing formal financial services and attracting investment. Without these skills, ASGM businesses struggle to grow and develop sustainably.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) contributes significantly to livelihoods in Mpika and Shiwagandu Districts, but the sector continues to face challenges that extend beyond individual mining sites. Environmental degradation, weak regulatory compliance and absence of a coordination mechanism among stakeholders often undermine responsible mining and sustainable community development. These issues require collective action rather than isolated interventions.

As demand for responsibly sourced gold grows globally, Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners (ASGM) are increasingly expected to demonstrate that their gold is traceable and mined responsibly in accordance with recognised international standards such as the OECD guide lines.