Shyne Catedral

ASGM is a main source of income for rural communities in the Philippines and has been a catalyst for social and economic progress where it operates, such as the small town of Buenavista, Quezon, home to around 30,000 people. This article from the planetGOLD Philippines team examines how responsible ASGM can contribute to many social benefits.

Staff with the planetGOLD project team in the Philippines report that as a result of the Enhanced Community Quarantine that has been imposed due to COVID-19, women in the small-scale mining town of Itogon are facing various livelihood and economic challenges, and there are indications that gender inequalities are now exacerbated. This article sheds light on the situation these women face, and recommends several responses to improve gender equality.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has disrupted the artisanal gold supply chain and broken the cash for gold income system that rural miners depend on in ASGM communities around the world, including in the Philippines. Despite stay at home orders, many small-scale miners are continuing to produce gold, but they are severely constrained by a lack of access to markets, buyers, processing supplies, and a limited workforce. Read more in this update from our team working on the planetGOLD Philippines project.