The March 2026 planetGOLD newsletter is out!
Now available in English, French, and Spanish 👇
🔍 Read now: bit.ly/48iTA7Z
📩 Subscribe for future updates: bit.ly/pGEmailList
#MakeMercuryHistory #ResponsibleMining #ArtisanalGold #ASGM #planetGOLD #Newsletter
This weekend is #ForestDay: forest ecosystems help retain #mercury & limit its movement into surrounding soils & water.
#MinamataConvention Parties are working to reduce mercury use & releases, including #ASGM, tackling forest contamination.
Learn more: bit.ly/FactsheetBio...
A major barrier to the transition away from mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining is the sector's typical lack of formalization.
📺 Discover how planetGOLD #Guinea 🇬🇳 aims to test Landscape Approaches to support #ASGM formalization, reduce conflict, and protect natural resources.
Taking stock of key outcomes of #MinamataCOP6, Brenda Koekkoek of @minamataconvention.bsky.social highlights decisions on mercury in products marked a landmark achievement to strengthen the Convention and shares #MinamataCOP7 will continue work on trade, #ASGM, digital strategy & more.
Join us for Gold Reimagined 2026, a webinar on outcomes and lessons from open innovation in #ASGM and our Artisanal Mining Grand Challenges.
📅 Tuesday, January 20 | 12pm ET
Simultaneous interpretation (English/Spanish)
Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
“ #Mercury use is on the rise despite a UN push for phaseout” — @cenmag.bsky.social
#UnitedNationsMinamataConventiononMercury #UNMCM #Pollution #ASGM #GoldMining
cendigitalmagazine.acs.org/2025/11/07/m...
The planetGOLD Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 project recently hosted its first Annual Stakeholders Conference in Harare, aligning around practical actions for a more responsible and inclusive artisanal & small-scale #gold mining sector.
#MakeMercuryHistory #ArtisanalGold #ASGM
www.planetgold.org/building-tog...
Delighted that our paper on how #ASGM shapes both #deforestation and local economic resilience in #Africa appears in this month’s EJ!
A great journey with co-authors, referees & editor.
May it open the door to more work on artisanal mining and development.
#Economics #Development #Sustainability
Delegates and observers reconvene in plenary on the final day of #MinamataCOP6, as they are expected to tackle:
🟡 Exemptions
🟡 #ASGM
🟡 Waste
🟡 VCM
🟡 & more
📺 www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObOb...
Panelists demonstrated how both rigorous data-driven solutions, particularly through the use of multiple mercury emission calculation methods, when integrated with meaningful stakeholder engagement and participation will be to reduce mercury emissions in #ASGM. @minamataconvention.bsky.social
Graphic promoting IPEN’s briefing titled “Mercury Pollution from Oil and Gas.” The design features a red background with the IPEN logo at the top and bold white text that reads: “Download IPEN’s Briefing, ‘Mercury Pollution from Oil and Gas.’” Below, an image of a tablet displays the briefing’s first page, which discusses mercury emissions from fossil fuel extraction and includes a map illustrating affected regions.
A hidden source of mercury pollution: the oil and gas industry.
IPEN’s new briefing exposes how this fuels global mercury contamination and urges urgent action to stop it.
📘 Read more: ipen.org/documents/me...
#Mercury #FossilFuels #ASGM #ToxicsFreeFuture
♀️ Women who are active in #ASGM typically face a range of gender-specific barriers that prevent their full participation.
Check out the new guide launched this week at #MinamataCOP6 describing approaches to address challenges faced by women miners 👇 www.planetgold.org/sites/defaul...
Work continues of Day 4⃣ of #MinamataCOP6 as contact and informal groups carries on into the evening, as they discuss:
🟡 Budget
🟡 #ASGM
🟡 Technical matters
Consult highlights of the #MinamataCOP6 Knowledge Lab on Advancing Gender-Inclusive Solutions in #ASGM.
The GEN is at #MinamataCOP6 Knowledge Lab "Advancing Gender-Inclusive Solutions in #ASGM", presenting projects in Bolivia, Ghana and Tanzania as they share tools, strategies, and stories of partnering with women miners to improve opportunities and working conditions.
The first set of #MinamataCOP6 Knowledge Labs on Day 4⃣ will be tackling:
🟡 Prototypes for Mercury-Free Dentistry
🟡 Fostering integration of chemicals pollution into #NBSAPs
🟡 Informing Integrated Chemicals Management
🟡 Advancing Gender-Inclusive Solutions in #ASGM
#MinamataCOP6 decision encourages Parties to undertake actions suggested in a road map for enhancing co-benefits from #MinamataConvention & Global Biodiversity Framework implementation & integrate actions on reducing #mercury pollution from #ASGM into national #biodiversity strategies & action plans
The importance of simplifying #ASGM formalization processes was reinforced by @minamataconvention.bsky.social Exec Secretary Monika Stankiewicz at @thegef.bsky.social sponsored special event at #MinamataCOP6 this week, featuring lessons learned in the planetGOLD programme
#MakeMercuryHistory
Contact groups for Day 3⃣ have been announced in plenary:
🟡 #ASGM
🟡 Budget
🟡 Legal
🟡 Technical matters
🟡 & other consultation groups
More information: minamataconvention.org/en/meetings/...
"Delegates have changed, but we remain here."
Sharing impacts of #mercury pollution in #Indonesia & beyond, Yuyun Ismawati of @toxicsfree.bsky.social highlights challenges, particularly in #ASGM & what needs to be done, incl. strengthening health institutions, early detection & biomonitoring.
The GEN is at the #MinamataCOP6 Special Event of
@planetgold.org on lessons learned & best practices from the cross-programmatic assessment of its first phase, as it addresses mercury pollution in #ASGM. @minamataconvention.bsky.social
▶️ planetgold.org/planetgold-p...
It's Day 2⃣ at #MinamataCOP6!
Participants gather for regional meetings, as delegates delve into discussions on key items:
🟡 #ASGM
🟡 Mercury waste
🟡 Programme of work and budget
🟡 National reporting
🟡 Effectiveness evaluation
🟡 & more
▶️ tiny.cc/GENRoadtoMinam…
"The Convention is a testament to what we can achieve when we cooperate."
With the growing threat of mercury, incl. in #ASGM, panelists underscored the importance of ensuring effective implementation, and increasing cooperation in chemicals & waste governance and across sectors.
#AméricaLatina #ASGM: El 23 de octubre, IPEN publicó un nuevo informe que documenta la exposición al mercurio de 105 mujeres de comunidades indígenas de Perú y Nicaragua. Dr. Marcos Orellana destaca la amenaza global que supone este problema.
Leer más ➡️ bit.ly/4n8onJk
@toxicsfree.bsky.social
#LatinAmerica #ASGM: On Oct 23, IPEN published a new report documenting mercury exposure in 105 women from Indigenous communities in Peru and Nicaragua. The UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics & #HumanRights highlights the global threat this poses.
Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/4n8onJk
@toxicsfree.bsky.social
Thank you for joining this session that highlighted the need to strengthen the convention with a #HumanRights-based approach, including a discussion on a mercury-use ban in #ASGM, to protect the rights of #IndigenousPeoples.
▶ tiny.cc/GEN16Oct25
Richard Gutierrez of @minamataconvention.bsky.social stresses #MinamataCOP6 will be crucial for protection of #IndigenousPeoples rights as key documents on #ASGM & the Provisional guidance of the effective engagement of Indigenous Peoples will be discussed.
📄 minamataconvention.org/en/meetings/...
Yuyun Ismawati of @toxicsfree.bsky.social presents evidence on mercury’s harm to #IndigenousPeoples, citing studies showing long-range pollution & food chain impacts. She urges #MinamataCOP6 to back an #ASGM mercury-use ban, enforceable NAPs & strengthen health sector capacity.
Drawing parallels between the oil extraction and #ASGM devastating impacts on health, environment and #HumanRights, Legborsi Saro Pyagbara of Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni underscores the importance of campaigns against injustices & retribution against #IndigenousPeoples.
Stressing that #ASGM fuels pollution & #HumanRights harms, @srtoxics.bsky.social Marcos Orellana warns of undermining #UNDRIP & urges amending @minamataconvention.bsky.social to better protect Indigenous rights. The effectiveness evaluation ahead #MinamataCOP7 offers crucial opportunity for action.
