Gov’t advocates for mercury-free alternatives for artisanal miners

The government has reiterated its call to eliminate the use of mercury in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM), citing significant health risks and environmental damage. Phiona Nyamutoro, Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development (Minerals), stressed the urgency of this initiative at an annual stakeholders’ meeting organized by Gold Planet Uganda on October 4, 2024, at Mestil Hotel.

Nyamutoro dismissed claims that the government opposes the success of artisanal miners, clarifying, “There’s a misconception that the government doesn’t want artisanal miners to thrive.” She pointed out that while miners prioritize short-term profits, they often ignore the long-term health risks of mercury exposure.

Lynn Gitu, Project Manager for Planet Gold Uganda, reported that 400,000 to 600,000 people are involved in the artisanal mining sector, with about 31,600 specifically working in gold mining. The Uganda project aims to support 4,500 miners across 11 sites and reduce mercury usage by 15 tonnes by 2029. Despite mercury being widely used in gold extraction, Gitu noted that alternative, mercury-free methods exist that are safer, cost-effective, and can increase miners’ earnings in responsible markets.

Josephine Aguta, a member of Tiira Small-Scale Mining Association in Busia District, voiced miners’ concerns, saying they are already working with stakeholders to reduce mercury use but need the government to provide affordable alternatives.

Mercury, commonly used to separate gold from other minerals, is responsible for about 37% of global mercury emissions. In 2013, over 140 countries adopted the Minamata Convention, an international agreement aimed at curbing mercury pollution. Anne Nakafeero, Principal Environment Officer and Uganda’s Minamata Focal Point at NEMA, noted that artisanal mining is the largest contributor to mercury pollution and its unregulated use has caused environmental damage near biodiversity hotspots.

Uganda’s Mining and Minerals (Licensing) Regulation 2023, Section 255, bans mercury use in mining. Since March, the government and Planet Gold have been conducting awareness campaigns to promote safer and more profitable mining practices. Despite artisanal mining accounting for over 90% of Uganda’s gold production, mercury use is widespread in districts like Buhweju, Busia, and Moroto.

Robert Bariyo Barigye, Commissioner for Cooperative Policy and Development at the Ministry of Trade, called for faster training of miners in business skills, safety, and access to credit. He emphasized the value of forming cooperatives, which can help miners adopt better practices and access larger markets.

A global analysis of mercury exposure showed that harmful levels often exceed safe limits, with the World Health Organization (WHO) warning that mercury exposure can cause skin, eye, and gastrointestinal issues, as well as neurological and behavioral problems with long-term exposure.

The meeting, themed “From Mines to Markets: Strengthening Artisanal & Small-Scale Gold Mining through Cooperative Networks,” was part of the Planet Gold initiative, supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The program aims to promote mercury-free technologies and improve access to responsible gold markets.