Resources

Improving Access to Formal Finance in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining

planetGOLD 2020 English

This issue brief reviews past experiences with delivering financial and allied services to the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector and examines existing barriers to attracting formal finance and investment in the sector. It concludes with recommended interventions for governments, donors and other allies to help improve ASGM’s access to formal finance in the future.

Using Performance Indicators to Evaluate an Environmental Education Program in Artisanal Gold Mining Communities in the Brazilian Amazon

Rodolfo N. Sousa and Marcello M. Veiga 2009 English

The Tapajos River Basin in the Brazilian Amazon is the location of one of the largest concentrations of artisanal and small-scale miners in the world. A group of educators provided support to miners, training 4200 people in 141 mining locations. The effectiveness of this training was evaluated based on 20 performance indicators. After 120 days of training, an absolute improvement of approximately 29% had been achieved.

Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana

M Wilson, E Renne, C Roncoli, P Agyei-Baffour, E Tenkorang English

This report is one of three synthesis documents produced via an integrated assessment (IA) that aims to increase understanding of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Ghana. Given the complexities surrounding ASGM, an IA framework was utilized to analyze economic, social, health, and environmental data, and co-develop evidence-based responses with pertinent stakeholders.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Migori, Kenya

CIRDI English

The Migori County Artisanal Miners Cooperative Society (MICA), in collaboration with UNESCO and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and with support from CIRDI, created this documentary on ASGM in Migori to shed light on this sector and to give Kenyan gold miners a voice.

Mercury Nah Easy / Careful with Quicksilver - Awareness Raising Posters

planetGOLD Guyana 2020 English

This set of posters created by the planetGOLD Guyana project provides information about the dangers of mercury exposure, health problems it can cause, and practical tips miners can take to reduce the risk of exposure for themselves and their families.

Illicit Mercury Flows and Governance Practices in Mindanao, Philippines

Jashaf Shamir A. Lorenzo, BAN Toxics IUCN - National Committee of the Netherlands English

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.

Pulling at golden webs: Combating criminal consortia in the African artisanal and small-scale gold mining and trade sector

Marcena Hunter English

This report seeks to unpack how criminal consortia manipulate ASGM and associated gold flows to secure illicit rents and capture the sector. The findings highlight the need for nuance, especially regarding the role of informal and traditional actors in the sector. Through a more holistic understanding of the challenge, policymakers will better be able to identify and combat criminal consortia in ASGM.

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.

Artisanal Gold Communities as Prime COVID-19 Intervention Targets: Supply Chain Reform, Health In Gold Out

Shawn Blore, Marieke Kroll, Kevin Telmer 2020 English

In this paper, the  AGC announces its three signal interventions for dealing with the crisis in ASGM communities brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic:

(i) Supply Chain Reform Project – a project to restart and reform artisanal gold supply chains;

(ii) Health In Gold Out – a project to deliver health assistance via this gold stakeholder network; and

(iii) Artisanal Gold Prices Database – a project to monitor these interventions via a worldwide database of artisanal gold prices.

Fair Trade Seeks a Foothold in Artisanal Gold Mining

Kristin Sippl 2020 English