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Formalization—the process of integrating ASGM into the formal economy, society, and regulatory system—is a critical step toward helping address environmental and social challenges in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector and and toward achieving the sector’s development potential. This report assesses the formalization-related interventions of the planetGOLD Indonesia project. 

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.

This publication is based on the annex to document UNEP/MC/COP.6/INF/27, in which the secretariat, following decision MC-5/17, worked to develop a technical document to facilitate integration of actions to reduce mercury pollution from ASGM into the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

While various past development efforts have sought to reduce mercury-related problems, we conclude that sustainable development should seek to intertwine knowledge-sharing on environmental goals with concrete ways of improving economic well-being. We demonstrate how such models of knowledge-sharing can help to catalyze local innovation, technology-sharing and community organization. This paper discusses how this knowledge can be applied by governments to create capacity building policies as well as regulations that support sustained improvement in mining standards. 

The CRAFT Code, an open and collaborative framework that drives progressive improvement in ASM practices, has launched version 2.1 with full alignment to the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals in Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. 

All volumes and previous versions can be found on the CRAFT Mines website.  

The standard has been developed as an open source bolt-on standard to avoid contributing to the proliferation of standards—rather, it enhances the forest and climate requirements of existing standards, guidelines, regulations, requirements, and certification schemes.

The meeting included updates of ongoing U.S Department of State granted mercury related projects in the ASGM sector and provided an opportunity for knowledge exchange. 

Explore planetGOLD Mongolia's latest newsletter

We are working toward the formalization and professionalization of the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector in Mongolia, including the elimination of mercury use in gold processing. Collaborating with stakeholders along the gold supply chain – miners, gold traders, local and national governments as well as civil society – will allow us to sustainably improve artisanal mining operations as an important economic opportunity for remote communities and to support the revision of regulations governing the sector. For regular project updates, follow us on Facebook and  Twitter.