News & Voices

As Member States and observers gather in Geneva, Switzerland for the 5th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the planetGOLD programme aims to contribute to the global knowledge base on reducing mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Explore the information document the programme has published detailing lessons learned from technology transfer activities in planetGOLD phase 1 projects.

Every week, Ibu Sugiyanti makes her way to the small-scale gold mining camp where she teaches mercury-free alternatives to other women miners. Sugiyanti’s efforts aim to empower women and transform the way mining is approached in this vibrant corner of Sumatra.

The planetGOLD project has introduced several types of alternative technologies appropriate for the scale of artisanal and small-scale mining operations, enabling miners to choose which are most suitable for them. This month, one mining cooperative from Kulon Progo District launched their first mercury-free processing facility, with grant funding from the project. The planetGOLD Indonesia project also reports on exhibiting its results and publications at the recent GEF-8 Asia-Pacific Workshop.

This photo story takes us to North Gorontalo, Indonesia, where the planetGOLD project there is engaging young students, teachers, and master storytellers in their campaign to make mercury history in the country's artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector

Hundreds of Indonesian students from the "golden village" of Hulawa, North Gorontalo, Indonesia gathered to hear stories from award-winning storyteller Awam Prakoso on the dangers of mercury, as part of a World Environment Day celebration organized by the planetGOLD project in Indonesia.

The planetGOLD Indonesia project is involving teachers from primary schools in artisanal and small-scale gold mining areas as agents for an awareness raising campaign delivering information through creative storytelling about the impacts of mercury and ways to avoid exposure.

This International Women's Day we are lifting up the voices of female gold miners working in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector. This article spotlights women in two of our project sites in Indonesia.

In this op-ed, UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Michelle Yeoh argues that as fashion has become more affordable, the resulting increased production of clothing and accessories is straining our natural resources such as cotton, leather, and wool. The article points out the benefits of a sustainable fashion industry, and highlights our program's work in Indonesia, implemented by UNDP, as one example of working toward more sustainable jewelry.