DailySun
Harare – The Zimbabwean government has announced the launch of a $23.7 million USD initiative aimed at reducing mercury levels in mining regions across the country.
Mercury is a dangerous substance used by the artisanal gold mining sector to extract gold from mineral ores.
This harmful chemical can inflict damage on the lungs, skin, and eyes.
Furthermore, mercury can spread far from its original source, contaminating air, water, and soil.
In addition, it bioaccumulates as it progresses through the food chain.
In Zimbabwe, over 300,000 people are involved in artisanal gold mining, a sector that contributes to more than 40 percent of the nation’s mineral exports.
Across the country, 96 percent of artisanal gold mining sites utilize mercury, with numerous miners ignoring protective gear and risking exposure to toxic fumes.
Zimbabwe’s artisanal gold mining practices contribute to the yearly release of over 24 tonnes of mercury.
The planetGOLD Zimbabwe initiative, which spans five years, is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and executed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
This initiative is overseen by the international non-profit organization IMPACT, in close collaboration with the Zimbabwean government.
The project aims to work with local communities to decrease mercury usage in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, recognized as the largest source of human-induced mercury emissions, while improving the health and well-being of mining communities.
The Zimbabwe project is part of a larger global framework operating in 25 countries.
The planetGOLD Zimbabwe initiative aims to support 7,500 men and women across 11 districts in the country, with a goal of reducing mercury usage by 4.85 tonnes.
In addition to lowering mercury levels, the project seeks to facilitate the formalization of the artisanal gold mining sector 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 how planetGOLD Zimbabwe can support a more accountable artisanal gold sector.
During his keynote address, Edward Samuriwo, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, emphasized the significance of the project in tackling the issues associated with mercury use in Zimbabwe’s gold mining sector.
Samuriwo reiterated Zimbabwe’s dedication to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, highlighting the essential role that the planetGOLD initiative will play in fulfilling the country’s objectives to eradicate mercury use in artisanal gold mining through the National Action Plan.
Zimbabwe ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2021. The National Action Plan delineates the country’s commitment to fostering collaboration among all stakeholders, including government entities and supply chain participants, to improve the health and safety of communities involved in artisanal gold mining.
“The launch of the planetGOLD project marks Zimbabwe’s commitment to more responsible artisanal gold mining,” stated Yann Lebrat, IMPACT’s Deputy Executive Director.
“We look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to promote sustainable changes within the sector.”
For more information about planetGOLD Zimbabwe, please visit: http://apo-opa.co/4gEiUY8
