Revolutionizing Small-Scale Gold Mining: How Mercury-Free Strategies Are Empowering Communities in Colombia
In the small coastal town of Guapi, Colombia, a quiet yet powerful movement is unfolding. Mary Luz Ante Orobio and her group of “unstoppable women” are leading a groundbreaking initiative to eliminate mercury from small-scale gold mining, a practice that has poisoned communities and the environment for centuries. With the support of planetGOLD, a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) initiative, these women are transforming the way gold is mined, while also gaining financial independence and protecting their environment.
The Toxic Legacy of Mercury in Gold Mining
For over 3,000 years, mercury has been used in small-scale gold mining to extract gold from ore. This toxic chemical binds to gold particles, forming an amalgam that is then heated to release the gold. However, the process releases mercury vapors, which are highly toxic and can cause irreversible brain damage and other serious health issues. Mercury contamination also devastates ecosystems, accumulating in the food chain and harming wildlife and humans alike.
Despite its dangers, mercury use has persisted in small-scale gold mining due to a lack of affordable and effective alternatives, particularly in rural and remote areas where resources are scarce. In these regions, miners often sell gold at below-market prices and rely on high-interest loans from illegal sources, further entrenching the cycle of poverty and environmental degradation.
Empowering Communities with Mercury-Free Alternatives
In Colombia, planetGOLD is changing the narrative by providing miners with the tools, training, and financial support they need to transition away from mercury. The program has established local savings and credit groups, like the one led by Orobio, which allow community members to invest in mercury-free technologies and create their own small businesses. These initiatives are not only reducing mercury use but also empowering women by giving them control over their finances and enabling them to lead safer, more sustainable lives.
One of the key successes of planetGOLD in Colombia has been its ability to formalize mine sites and provide technical training. For example, in Burkina Faso, another country benefiting from the program, miners are being trained to use mercury-free mining techniques, such as the use of trommels to process ore. This shift is not only protecting miners' health but also helping them secure better prices for their gold on the global market.
A Global Movement to End Mercury Use
The work being done in Colombia and other countries is part of a broader global effort to eliminate mercury use, driven by the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Named after the Japanese city of Minamata, where mercury pollution caused one of the world's worst environmental disasters, the convention aims to phase out mercury use across all sectors by promoting safer alternatives and strengthening regulations.
Since its inception, planetGOLD has helped prevent over 31 tonnes of mercury emissions and supported more than 17,200 miners in their transition to mercury-free practices. The program's success is a testament to the power of community-driven solutions and the importance of providing miners with the tools and resources they need to make sustainable changes.
The efforts of Mary Luz Ante Orobio and the “unstoppable women” in Guapi are a shining example of how communities can take control of their future and protect their environment. By adopting mercury-free mining practices and empowering women through financial independence, planetGOLD is helping to create a healthier, more sustainable world. As the global community continues to work towards eliminating mercury use, the successes in Colombia offer hope and inspiration for other countries facing similar challenges.
