WEBINAR - U.S Department of State Mercury Grants on Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining

The Partnership Area on mercury in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining organized an information sharing session on 26 June in an online setting. The event presented updates of ongoing U.S Department of State granted mercury related projects in the ASGM sector and provided an opportunity to exchange on potential synergies.

Article 7 of the Minamata Convention covers the ASGM sector, in particular by stipulating that “each Party that has artisanal and small-scale gold mining and processing within its territory shall take steps to reduce, and where feasible eliminate, the use of mercury from ASGM”.  Further, Parties that determine that ASGM in its territory “is more than insignificant” are required to develop a National Action Plan outlining strategies to address mercury use in ASGM.

It is in this context that the members of the Global Mercury Partnership Area on ASGM are working around the world to reduce, and if possible eliminate, practices that are harmful to human health and the environment.

The event was moderated by Jane Dennison from the U.S Department of State.

AGENDA

Opening remarks Jane Dennison, U.S Department of State

1. Reducing Mercury Use and Increasing Transparency in Mali’s Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining Sector, and Promoting Mercury-Free Mining in Ghana, Daniel Stapper, Jorden de Haan, PACT

2. Reducing Mercury use in ASGM Communities, Victor Dumba, Caitlin Wright, Yannick Cishugi, Global Communities

3. Promoting Responsible Recovery and Handling of Mercury from Contaminated Artisanal Gold Mining Tailings in Colombia, Lizeth Olaya, Alfonso Rodriguez, Pure Earth

Questions and Answers – Break

4. Global Partnership for Formalization and Progress in ASGM, Mayer Ngomesia, Taylor Kennedy, Resolve

5. Reducing Mercury use in Papua New Guinea’s ASGM Sector, and Reducing Mercury Use in Guyana and its Neighbors, Taylor Tegan Holmes, Kevin Telmer, Artisanal Gold Council

6. Responsive Engagement and Collective Learning Approaches to inform Mercury Substitution in ASGM, Wendy Wilson, The Fund for Peace

Closing remarks Jane Dennison, U.S Department of State