Empowering communities: mercury-free artisanal gold mining takes a stand against biodiversity loss

 ASGM remains the largest contributor to global mercury use, emissions, and releases, resulting in harmful impacts on human health, ecosystems, and biodiversity across the globe. Operating in over 70 countries, often in areas with limited economic opportunities, ASGM employs approximately 15 million people, including 4 to 5 million women and children. When using mercury, the sector not only poses health and environmental risks but also severely impacts vulnerable groups such as women, children, Indigenous Peoples and local communities who may already be contending with significant preexisting socio-economic risk factors. 

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