Resources

USAID: Sector Environmental Guideline (SEG): ASM

Battelle and The Cadmus Group, Inc. USAID 2017 English

These guidelines are designed for project managers, project implementers, practitioners, or others working on development or environmental management projects that could impact ASM projects or communities that engage in ASM.  This document addresses: (1) impact of development projects on ASM; (2) impacts of ASM on the environment, health, and socio-political systems; (3) best practices on mitigation measures for minimizing impacts of ASM; (4) impact of climate change on ASM; and (5) impact of ASM on climate change. 

World emissions of mercury from artisanal and small scale gold mining and the knowledge gaps about them

Kevin H. Telmer and Marcello M. Veiga 2008 English

The authors estimate mercury releases from artisanal and small scale gold mining (ASGM) based on available data about mercury and gold exports and imports by country and from field reports from the countries known to have active ASGM communities.

Developing Training Materials to Promote the Reduction of Mercury Use in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining

APEC Secretariat 2019 English

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.

A Rapid Assessment of Gold and Financial Flows linked to Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Mongolia

Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime Levin Sources 2017 English

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 artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sectors. This report, focusing on Mongolia, 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.

Vilma Morales: "Bolivia would be the country of origin of the mercury that reaches Peru" | INTERVIEW

Yvette Sierra Praeli 2020 English

Vilma Morales is a chemical engineer and one of the main mercury experts in Peru. Her work in hazardous waste management has led her to investigate and learn how this heavy metal behaves, causing so much damage to the environment and people's health, especially due to its use in legal and illegal mining.

Collection of reports as published by Balifokus covering a number of topics.

Balikfokus English

OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas

OECD 2016 English

The OECD DDG provides step-by-step management recommendations endorsed by governments for global responsible supply chains of all minerals, in order for companies to respect human rights and avoid contributing to conflict through their mineral or metal purchasing decisions and practices. This Guidance for minerals may be used by any company potentially sourcing any minerals or metals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas, and is intended to cultivate transparent, conflict-free supply chains and sustainable corporate engagement in the minerals sector.

A Rapid Assessment of Gold and Financial Flows linked to Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in the Philippines: Follow the Money Philippines

Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime Levin Sources 2017 English

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.

Illegal and Illicit Trade of Mercury in Indonesia

Drwiega, Ismawati, Yuyun 2018 English

Phasing Out Mercury? Ecological Economics and Indonesia's Small-Scale Gold Mining Sector

Samuel J. Spiegel; Sumali Agrawal; Dino Mikhab; Kartie Vitamerry; Philippe Le Billon; Marcello Veigad; Kulansi Konoliusb; and Bardolf Paul 2017 English

This article uses an ecological economics approach to analyse tensions surrounding efforts to phase out mercury in Indonesia's artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector, among the largest sources of mercury pollution worldwide. It also discusses implications of domestic cinnabar mining for controlling mercury in Indonesia's ASGM sector, highlighting obstacles to implementing the Minamata Convention, a treaty that aims to restrict mercury use.