Resources

Full recording of the October 7 session of planetGOLD's "Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Production: Technology Without Mercury" virtual exhibition.

The mercury use and trade patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa have so far been difficult to assess by traditional statistics-based methods. This study aims at improving the understanding of mercury's role in the region through detailed investigation of import and export data in combination with field investigations in eight countries, literature study and a questionnaire survey sent to all countries in the region. 

These insight are an important lessons for the range of efforts and approach on the part of governments, international organizations, and civil society organizations, to promote the use of clean and efficient technology for ASGM.

Discover some techniques for cleaning and recovering tailings in Yalí, Antioquia, and learn how this strategy represents a great opportunity for the elimination of mercury in small-scale mining.

Component 2 efforts in achieving the objectives of the GOLD-ISMIA Project, especially the establishment of a financing system for the provision of loans in the context of purchasing gold processing equipment without mercury, have been carried out in accordance with the references contained in the Project Document and also based on the results of previous studies on the conditions of access to financing for ASGM from Financial Services. Barriers and obstacles faced in achieving these goals, especially related to the output target of the realization of the financing program from financial services for ASGM to have mercury-free gold processing

This paper reflects critically on the challenges with reducing women’s exposure to mercury at artisanal and small-scale gold mines in sub-Saharan Africa. It draws on findings from ongoing research in Ghana, the location of one of the largest and most dynamic artisanal and small-scale gold mining sectors in the region.

This report provides a critical review of the current evidence on occupational mercury exposures and health impacts, as well as highlighting key priority areas for action.

Recognizing the need for a greater understanding of mercury and gold trade flows, regulation and taxation, the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) commissioned this study of mercury and gold trade flows and regulatory frameworks. The study was informed by extensive desk research and key informant interviews conducted in 12 ECOWAS member states (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo.) Gambia was also included in desk research.

The Centre for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD) conducted a detailed investigation of the extent of mercury use in ASGM sites in Mikei, Masara and Osiri in Kenya.

The main objective of this study is to propose a methodology to evaluate the impacts of ASGM on human health in different contexts in the Brazilian Amazon. It connects several points in the literature based on hypotheses regarding mercury dispersion in water, its transformation into methylmercury, and absorption by fish and humans. This methodology can be used as a tool to estimate the extent of environmental damage caused by artisanal gold mining, the severity of damage to the health of individuals contaminated by mercury and, consequently, can contribute to the application of fines to environmental violators.