International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

Experience Note: Policy and Governance Measures to Prevent Mercury Pollution from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining

2009: The project activity aimed primarily to improve the underlying Policy and Governance mechanisms and capacity of participant countries relating to both mercury and the broader artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) industry. Policy aimed at preventing mercury pollution of rivers and lakes is intricately tied to a multiplicity of other issues – rural poverty, legality of artisanal miners, alternative livelihoods, international trade etc. Several of the policy and governance initiatives, whether related to mercury trade, use or management, have started such change processes. An important outcome of the Policy and Governance strategy implementation has been the development of a series of useful tools for governments wishing to regulate mercury in ASM. The GMP worked best in countries where a high level civil servant and secondarily, a politician, were committed to action. Whilst education programs, awareness raising, and other interventions in direct contact with miners or millers are important, they cannot efficiently succeed without a solid regulatory backing.

1223: Removal of Barriers to the Introduction of Cleaner Artisanal Mining and Extraction Technologies

01 jan. 2016

Experience Note: Policy and Governance Measures to Prevent Mercury Pollution from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining.pdf