Improving Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining in the Developing World
Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) is an important economic sector in more than 70 countries, providing livelihoods for more than 50 million people, and producing 15% of global annual gold production.
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| The Artisanal Gold Coin Launches the AGC Improvement Fund A limited mintage of 104 coins were struck at Canada's Lasqueti Mint. |
Latest Developments
Gold - Good for Development, Toxic for Children; news article.
Ground Breaking Presentation on Artisanal Mining in India by AGC Associate Dr. Mihir Deb
Special session on Mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining at the International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant, Halifax. Highlights: (1) Latest estimate for mercury demand from ASM - 1400 tonnes/y; (2) World mercury hotspot, Segovia, Colombia; (3) UNIDO programmes to reduce mercury demand without harming livlihoods; (4) Health impacts; (5) New air emissions; (6) New country estimates of mercury use in gold mining - such as India
The AGC was in Nigeria assessing lead and mercury contamination associated with small-scale gold mining in the state of Zamfara. It is the worst lead poisoning epidemic in the world, around 500 children have died. Small-scale gold miners produce dust when processing ores with very high lead concentrations. This lead-rich dust contaminates soils and is ingested by young children - this is the main cause of the epidemic. AGC Report here. More News Coverage Here.
AGC gave a presentation at the OECD's first Working group meeting on due diligence in the gold supply chain, in May. The implications for ASGM miners could be negative if the guidelines are not altered to reflect their realities and needs.
AGC is preparing a Technical Document for United Nations Environment Programme's work on mercury. UNEP is funding AGC to prepare a technical document that describes available, field-tested methods for reducing, and in some cases eliminating, mercury use in ASGM. The purpose of the document is to provide examples of existing technologies that can reduce mercury use in ASM communities immediately, and models for moving to zero mercury in the long term.
Kevin Telmer attended the SAICM Meeting in Siem Riep, Cambodia in March 2010, on behalf of the AGC. The meeting was hosted by UNEP and focused on National Strategic Plans for responsible ASGM Development in Asia.
AGC is preparing a Technical Document for United Nations Environment Programme's work on mercury. UNEP is funding AGC to prepare a technical document that describes available, field-tested methods for reducing, and in some cases eliminating, mercury use in ASGM. The purpose of the document is to provide examples of existing technologies that can reduce mercury use in ASM communities immediately, and models for moving to zero mercury in the long term.
The AGC invites you to join them at the Gold, Substance, Significance and Symbol conference in New York City from April 7-9, 2011. The conference will explore gold from mine to market, goldsmith to mint.
Kevin Telmer attended the SAICM Meeting in Siem Riep, Cambodia in March 2010, on behalf of the AGC. The meeting was hosted by UNEP and focused on National Strategic Plans for responsible ASGM Development in Asia.
Artisanal Gold Coin now available for sale. Minted by artisans on Lasqueti Island, proceeds from the sale of this one ounce gold coin will fund AGC projects. Help support the AGC's mission and contribute to the Artisanal Gold Fund.
The AGC is attending the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) meeting held in Paris on the week of Feb 28th, 2011.