The Artisanal Gold Council is preparing to change artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) by establishing cooperatives in mining communities and utilizing mercury-free gold processing facilities owned and managed by these communities..
In Sierra Leone, artisanal and small-scale gold mining has emerged as one of the most important extractive sectors.
It is estimated that over 80,000 miners are directly employed producing over 125M USD of gold annually, which is roughly equal in export value to the country’s best-known diamond sector.
AGC’s Project Manager Peter Rosenbluth explained that the ASGM sector is largely informal, which contributes to the health and social problems often associated with artisanal and small-scale gold production and sale. Poor environmental practices, including the use of mercury, a potent neurotoxin, and persistent pollutant, is also an increasing concern.
He said that the Enabling and Growing Responsible Artisanal Gold Enterprises (EnGAGE), a project which is being implemented by the Artisanal Gold Council (AGC) and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH under a co-financing agreement between the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and
Development (BMZ), is part of the “Regional Resource Governance in West Africa” program.
He explained that the program is designed to support Sierra Leone’s vision for ASGM. The project’s aim is to demonstrate that gold can be mined profitably and in accordance with good practices relating to legality, environment, gender equality, health, safety, and human rights.
Peter said that the project has sought to legalize and improve the operating practices of artisanal gold mining groups while introducing innovative technologies for higher yield mercury-free processing.
He further explained that the Project Goal basically is to develop a model for environmentally and socially responsible artisanal gold production in Sierra Leone
Resource Governance in West Africa”, is designed to support Sierra Leone’s vision for ASGM. The project’s aim is to demonstrate that gold can be mined profitably and in accordance with good practices relating to legality, environment, gender equality, health, safety, and human rights. The project has sought to legalize and improve the operating practices of artisanal gold mining groups while introducing innovative technologies for higher yield mercury-free gold processing.
