Resources

This paper reports on a study regarding a safer alternative method of gold recovery; direct smelting. This process generates a final product in one-step as compared to the three-step amalgamation, retorting/heating and smelting, currently practiced. Direct smelting has the potential to replace amalgamation and retorting because it is more effective, easier, quicker and cheaper.

With the Government of Kenya’s latest investments in its small-scale domestic gold sector, including its own refining capabilities, the time is right to tackle the drivers of illicit trade. 

Researchers or other assessors should use this guide to help ministries of health develop a public health strategy as part of the ASGM National Action Plan. The evidence collected will clarify key issues to consider for the public health strategy. The approach for collecting and using the evidence was developed by WHO and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and pilot-tested in three countries – Ghana, Mozambique and Nigeria – between 2017 and 2019.

Also available in Arabic, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

The report discusses the challenges and solution encountered by countries developing National Action Plan for artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM).

This document sets out guidance on sites contaminated by mercury or mercury compounds, as adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury at its third meeting in November 2019. Paragraph 3 of article 12 of the Minamata Convention provides that the Conference of the Parties shall adopt guidance on managing contaminated sites.

Available in English, French and Spanish

Note by the secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury

The EIA investigates into one of the largest reported seizures of mercury exposing multiple countries in violation of national laws and the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

This report provides a description of the three key pillars of the Road map for enhancing co-benefits from implementation of the Minamata Convention and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and advancing overall coherence across the mercury and biodiversity agendas.

The objectives of Sierra Leone's Minamata Initial Assessment are to provide an overview of the country’s use, emissions and re- leases of mercury and mercury compounds. First, it identifies and quantifies flows of mercury and mercury compounds. It then proposes an analysis of the legal and institutional frameworks that may guide the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury at the national level.