Sierra Leone launches the GEF-funded planetGOLD project with the aim of reducing the use of mercury in the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector

Freetown, 12 November 2024 | Sierra Leone launches the GEF-funded planetGOLD project with the aim of reducing the use of mercury in the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector, through a holistic, multisectoral integrated formalization approach, and increasing access to finance leading to the adoption of sustainable mercury-free technologies and access to traceable gold supply chains. 

Extraction of minerals is a key economic activity in Sierra Leone, and artisanal gold mining, provides livelihoods for more than 100,000 people in many rural communities. The sector is expected to attract more people as alluvial diamond fields become less lucrative.  Artisanal mining is, however, largely informal, with miners often lacking access to finance, awareness of safer and environmentally friendly mining techniques or technology and often using primitive techniques that are harmful to their health and the environment, including the use of toxic mercury for extraction of gold from ore. 

On Tuesday, 12th of November 2024, the Government of Sierra Leone invited over fifty stakeholders from the private sector, NGOs, academia, traditional and women’s leaders from artisanal mining communities and relevant Government Ministries officials to workshop, to formally launch the implementation phase of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Sierra Leone planetGOLD Project. The project, titled “Enhancing the formalization and Mercury reduction in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) Sierra Leone”, is executed by the Environment Protection Authority of Sierra Leone (EPA-SL), with Conservation International (CI), the implementing agency, providing technical and financial oversight. 

Figure 1: Cross Section of project stakeholders

This project aims to reduce mercury use in the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector, through a holistic, multisectoral integrated formalization approach, and increasing access to finance leading to the adoption of sustainable mercury-free technologies and access to traceable gold supply chains. Through the adoption of more responsible mining methods, the project seeks to mitigate environmental degradation, minimize health risks, improve livelihoods, and formalize the gold supply chain—all while contributing to both national and global environmental goals.

The Chief Director of the Environment Protection Agency, Mr. Sheku Mark Kanneh, welcomed participants to the event and expressed gratitude to Conservation International (CI) for their continuous support from project preparatory phase to the current phase of implementation and assured the CI team that the project management unit will ensure the milestones of the project are met.

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Mr. Jiwor Emmanuel Abdulai, gave the keynote address. He emphasized that artisanal mining was a legitimate economic activity that did not need to be mutually exclusive from sustainable management of the environment and lamented the negative impacts mercury use has had on communities downstream of ASGM sites. He applauded the CI team for their efforts in the implementation of the project and assured the team that the Ministry will provide the full support to help achieve the project goal.

Figure 2: The Minister of Environment & Climate Change, Jiwor Abdulai (centre), and Chief Director, EPA, Sheku Kanneh (far left) with the Conservation International Team 

Figure 3: Paramount Chiefs from the mining communities, far left PC Dr Margaret Gbanie-Baio &  Centre – PC Tamba Sheku;  Right, Director of Administration at EPA, Ramatu Massaquoi

Ms. Charity Nalyana, a senior manager at Conservation International (CI), explained the role of CI in executing planetGOLD programmes, having had many years and experience of supporting GEF projects around the globe. She emphasized the need for supporting women, since they play a vital role in the gold mining supply chain, but are often restricted to low paying hazardous work. 

Comments from institutional stakeholders, CSO’s, paramount chiefs and other participants focused on the benefits that will be derived from the project through mercury reduction by the ASG miners.