Harare – The Zimbabwean government has revealed the launch of a $23.7 million USD initiative to reduce mercury levels in mining regions throughout the country.
Mercury is a dangerous chemical used in the artisanal gold mining sector for extracting gold from mineral ores.
This toxic substance can harm the lungs, skin, and eyes.
Furthermore, mercury can spread extensively from its origin, leading to contamination of air, water, and soil.
It also bioaccumulates as it moves up the food chain.
In Zimbabwe, over 300,000 people participate in artisanal gold mining, a sector that contributes more than 40 percent of the nation’s mineral exports.
Across the country, 96 percent of artisanal gold mining sites use mercury, with many miners disregarding protective equipment and exposing themselves to dangerous fumes.
Zimbabwe’s artisanal gold mining activities result in the release of more than 24 tonnes of mercury every year.
The planetGOLD Zimbabwe project, spanning five years, is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is executed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
This initiative is overseen by the international non-profit organization IMPACT, in close partnership with the Zimbabwean government.
The project aims to work with local communities to decrease mercury usage in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, the leading contributor to human-caused mercury emissions, while improving the health and wellbeing of mining communities.
The Zimbabwe initiative is part of a larger global program operating in 25 countries.
The planetGOLD Zimbabwe project is designed to support 7,500 men and women across 11 districts, aiming to cut mercury usage by 4.85 tonnes.
In addition to reducing mercury levels, the project seeks to help formalize the artisanal gold mining industry and improve miners’ access to financial resources.
This initiative will encourage the adoption of mercury-free technologies and promote more responsible and traceable gold supply chains.
The project was officially launched on November 14 in Harare, featuring an Inception Workshop that brought together stakeholders to discuss the support provided by planetGOLD Zimbabwe for a more accountable artisanal gold sector.
During the keynote address, Edward Samuriwo, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, emphasized the project’s significance in tackling the challenges posed by mercury use in Zimbabwe’s gold mining sector.
Samuriwo reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, highlighting the crucial role that the planetGOLD initiative will have in furthering the country’s objectives to eliminate mercury use in artisanal gold mining through the National Action Plan.
Zimbabwe ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2021. The National Action Plan outlines the country’s dedication to fostering collaboration among all stakeholders, including government entities and supply chain participants, to enhance the health and safety of communities engaged in artisanal gold mining.
“The launch of the planetGOLD project represents Zimbabwe’s shift toward more responsible artisanal gold mining,” stated Yann Lebrat, IMPACT’s Deputy Executive Director.
“We are enthusiastic about partnering with all stakeholders to foster sustainable changes within the sector.”
For more information about planetGOLD Zimbabwe, please visit: http://apo-opa.co/4gEiUY8
