Peruvian government inaugurates first mercury-free gold processing plant in Piura

The Ministry of the Environment (MINAM), Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the planetGOLD Peru project, delivered a gravimetric plant for mercury-free gold processing to artisanal miners in Piura.

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is responsible for producing 20% of the world's gold, yet many of these operations use mercury to process gold. The Peruvian government, as a signatory to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, along with the United Nations, promotes various actions to reduce and eliminate the use of mercury in the sector.

The Ministry of the Environment (MINAM), Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the planetGOLD Peru project, inaugurated the first gravimetric plant for processing gold without mercury in the district of Suyo in the Piura region. The inauguration ceremony took place on April 4 and was attended by officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), through the General Directorate of Mining Formalization, and the Regional Directorate of Energy and Mines of Piura. The inauguration ceremony included a guided tour and a demonstration of the operation of equipment such as the crusher, mill, gravimetric table, recirculation tank, and smelting furnace that make up the plant.

During the event, Vicente Espinoza, Specialist from the Directorate of Pollution Control and Chemical Substances of MINAM, highlighted the work of the planetGOLD Peru project and the commitment from the Ministry to promote practices that allow for the elimination of mercury use in gold processing. He noted that "this event is relevant because it can create a virtuous circle in the region to promote environmentally respectful mining in which everyone wins, both miners, the environment, and the country."

Yakir Rozas, Regional Liaison of the General Directorate of Mining Formalization of MINEM, congratulated the miners of the region for their commitment to progress towards order, transparency, and environmental care. He also acknowledged that the Ministry of Energy and Mines will continue to support initiatives that contribute to the improvement of the sector and its formalization process.

The installed plant will benefit miners and women mineral selectors in the Suyo district, allowing them to avoid the annual use of 30 kg of mercury, leaving behind practices such as the use of quimbaletes or burning of mercury-gold amalgam. It will also serve to train miners, teachers, students, and researchers in the region through the conducting of metallurgical tests.

Hernán García, Mining Engineer from the Regional Directorate of Energy and Mines of the Piura Regional Government, stated that "this plant will allow the region to have an environmentally responsible activity, benefiting miners and future generations." He also highlighted the possibility of replicating this type of initiative by expanding mineral processing capacity.

The acquisition of the plant was funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), through the planetGOLD Peru project implemented by MINAM, in partnership with MINEM and with the technical assistance of UNDP. The equipment allows for efficient gold recovery without the use of mercury through gravity and water recirculation.

Finally, Franco Villagarcía, Officer of the UNDP Prosperity Programme, thanked and congratulated the various participating institutions for opening initiatives that have local results with global impacts: "This plant reflects the effort made by the project team and the commitment of the men and women dedicated to mining, demonstrating that it is possible to have a formal activity with practices that are responsible for the environment and people."