Philippines

This study is an assessment of the existing legal and policy framework in the Philippines on artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in order to determine the pathways for the formalization of the ASGM sector. The study specifically aims to: (1) Review and analyze the existing policies and legal framework governing the ASGM sector, gold trading, and illicit financial flows (IFF) in the Philippines; (2) Assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the laws and regulations governing ASGM in the two project sites, namely: Paracale, Camarines Norte and Sagada, Mountain Province; (3) Identify the gaps and barriers, both legal and non-legal, to the formalization of the sector; and (4) Provide specific recommendations on the policy issues and gaps that were identified with specific gender-responsive policy recommendations that would address the gaps and barriers in the formalization of ASGM as a sector.

This study aimed to improve the visibility, accessibility, and support for women involved in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the communities of Sagada, Mountain Province, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Paracale, Camarines Norte, Bicol Region in the Philippines. Its main objective was to assess the current situation of women in ASGM communities and identify opportunities for collaboration between national and local government agencies to assist these women. The study utilized qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection, including surveys, interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and roundtable discussions (RTDs). 

Mina Minera tells the story of a strong, hardworking woman who dedicates her life to supporting her family. From managing household chores to working as a miner, Mina takes on multiple roles to provide for her loved ones. As one of the many Filipino women miners, her story highlights the often invisible and unrecognized labor that women like her contribute to their families and communities.

The book emphasizes the crucial importance of making women's work visible—acknowledging and valuing their contributions, especially in sectors like mining. It calls for greater support and recognition of women’s roles, both at home and in the workforce. When women receive the necessary resources, recognition, and support, it benefits not just the women themselves, but the entire community. Through Mina’s story, the book encourages us to stand in solidarity, ensuring that the tireless efforts of women are acknowledged and supported. It stresses the importance of empowering women to achieve equity, and how this collective effort fosters a future of fairness, community well-being, and progress for all.
Produced by: Artisanal Gold Council for the planetGOLD Philippines Project

Join Miko and Maya as they uncover the story of the Golden Valley—a once-breathtaking paradise that thrived through responsible artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Through their journey, they learn how greed and harmful practices can harm both nature and communities—and how teamwork, perseverance, and love can heal a land and its people.

The story of Miko, Maya, at ang Ginintuang Lambak (and the Golden Valley) recognizes the essential lesson that communities engaged in artisanal and small-scale gold mining must embrace responsible mining practices. It serves as a poignant reminder that the pursuit of wealth should never compromise the irreparable harm inflicted upon nature and human well-being. Through the adoption of formalized, environmentally-conscious, and socially responsible mining practices, we have the opportunity to forge a legacy for the coming generations. This legacy ensures that they can cherish and experience the wonders of our planet without bearing the burdens of environmental degradation and health risks.

Produced by: Artisanal Gold Council for the planetGOLD Philippines Project

The brochure intends to encourage small-scale miners to sell gold to the BSP and its authorized representatives. It contains the advantages of selling gold formally, the basic information about the BSP, and its gold-buying conditions.

The brochure introduces a standard set of criteria for conformance of the SSM organizations under the planetGOLD program. It contains the summary of modules based on the CRAFT Code and the planetGOLD-specific criteria as per the GEF Environment and Social Safeguards requirements.

This mapping research shares key learnings and recommendations to address child labour in ASM drawn from Levin Source's latest report, in which they mapped existing interventions to address child labour and poor working conditions in the ASM sector in order to extract lessons learned and gaps from existing projects and initiatives that aim to address child labour.

The CARING Gold Mining Project’s overall goal is to increase to address child labour and working conditions issues in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) globally and in Ghana and the Philippines, its pilot countries. It does so by pursuing four outcomes, the first three to be carried out in the pilot countries and the fourth one on a global scale.

The purpose of this analysis is to compare what was planned for in the CMEP with what was achieved and what could have been done differently to serve as a learning for other Projects.

This report examines four countries whose central banks actively purchase gold from domestic ASGM production, and considers lessons learned in formulating policies towards ASGM. It describes central bank domestic purchase models, the impact they can have on improving practices associated with small-scale gold production, and the benefits of domestic gold buying for reserve management purposes.

This report documents the illicit mercury flows in Mindanao, Philippines as well as the various governance practices for mercury in the study areas. The study is conducted by BAN Toxics and focuses on Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) communities in the island, where the majority of illicit mercury enters the country.

A combination of factors is driving the continued use of mercury, including the lucrativeness of the trade, the informality of the ASGM sector, the poverty of many miners and the power imbalance between many traders and miners. Mercury governance within the investigated countries has potential for improvement. To tackle the mercury problem, action should be taken that addresses the problem from all angles and takes all key stakeholders into account. The  report is a compilation of findings from investigations that IUCN NL’s local partner organisations carried out. More detailed findings for each country can be found in the respective country/regional report.

This report summarizes the activities and results of the project Developing Training Materials to Promote the Reduction of Mercury Use in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining. Overall, the project sought to produce a business training module based on leading global practice in ASGM and designed to promote Minamata Convention compliance. This project is intended to enhance coordination among ASGM education programs throughout the APEC region in support of domestic and international mercury reduction efforts.

Levin Sources and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime produced two case studies identifying financial flows-both licit and illicit- in Mongolian and Filipino ASGM sectors. This report, focusing on The Philippines, provides a nuanced first-look at how stakeholders can better understand and respond to the role gold supply chains and financial flows play in formalization efforts.