Overordnede mål
The project seeks to increase awareness and implement the Minamata Convention by internationally advocating for mercury-free ASGM and transferring these techniques to new countries. Ultimately, the aim is to generate funds and goodwill for projects implementing mercury-free techniques in mining communities in Africa. The project will also look at ways to create a consumer demand for “responsibly produced gold”.
Umiddelbare mål
In the first part of the project local partners will carry out a baseline study on the use of mercury in ASGM in Uganda. The results (scientific presentations and videos recorded by ASGMs) will be presented by ASGM representatives and participants from the partner organizations at the International Committee of Occupational Health mining group’s(MinOSH) conference in Denmark in 2017. One of the main themes for the conference is ASGM where developing countries are priorized. MinOSH is a large international network with multiple connections to universities worldwide, International Social and Security Association - an ILO organization, Workplace Without Borders, Nordic Institute of Advanced training on Occupational Health and others worldwide that will assist on the conference. The project has 3 phases: 1. Capacity building phase a. National start-up workshops about mercury pollution from ASGM in Uganda Participants: The local partners, Diálogos and Bantox, participate along with 2 expert miners from the Philippines and 6 local miner representatives. Miners from the Philippines demonstrate the mercury-free method. b. Video documentation of ASGM in Uganda c. Baseline studies (mining methods, legal and institutional analysis, mercury trade analysis, stakeholder analysis, market and gold supply chain analysis) d. Creating an enabling environment (policy and regulatory support activities) e. Preparation of presentations/videos for Odense 2017 MinOSH conference 2. International advocacy phase a. Preconference workshop (5 days) with expert training in mercury toxicology, communication training, networking training b. Presentation of baseline studies at MinOSH conference in Odense in August 2017 niva.org/conference/mining/ c. International advocacy and networking. 3. Alliance and sustainability phase a. Creation/enforcement of national networks/alliances in Uganda and the Philippines b. Creation/enforcement of regional networks/alliances in Africa c. Advocacy for international networks/alliances for i. Fundraising for implementation projects ii. Responsible gold production d. Project evaluation workshop with participation from Denmark The project will reach out to relevant networks including UNEPs global mercury partnership, the Minamata Convention, Basel Action Network, ILO, WHO Program on Environmental Health (EH in mining/extractive industries), the International Section of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) on Prevention in the Mining Industry, and international recognized researchers.
Målgrupper
Participants Diálogos: Grant holder, responsible for the overall project DASAM: Supervising partner with a large international network BAN Toxics!: Expert partner, manage south to south training and capacity building activities, and main role in the international advocacy and networking arm of the project UNACOH: local partner in Uganda, coordinating visits from partners abroad, advocacy activities among key stakeholders, Uganda budget and local project management. NAPE: local partner In Uganda, contacts in mining communities and knowhow about ASGM. Target groups (estimated number of people reached [men/women]) Primary ASGM representatives from Uganda and the Philippines [20/3] The partner organizations: NAPE and UNACOH [20/20] Secondary International organizations - ISSA mining (International Social and Security Association) [10/10] - ICOH (International Commission on Occupational Health) [40/40] - International Labour Organisation [5/5] - UNEP [3/3] - International jeweler companies like Pandora and Troldekugler [5/5] Regional - East African Community/East African Parliament [10/3] National authorities - Health authorities/health workers [10/10] - Environment authorities [10/10] - Mining authorities [5/5] - Miners’ organization (locally) [30/10] - labour, gender and social welfare [10/10] - Education sector [50/50] - Justice and constitution affairs [3/3] - National Parliament [10/4] - Local authorities [20/10] - Civil society in mining areas and Civil Society Groups, including youth and women’s groups [100/100] Selection of miners from Uganda The selection process for the participants in the miner to miner trainings by the Philippines miner trainers will be based on several factors that among other include: i) Language: The selected persons will be knowledgeable in English with basic ability to communicate ii) Training skills: The selected persons should be able to share the experiences acquired from the trainings and the experience from Denmark. The multiplier effect is important for success of the project iii) Community Support: the ASGMs should participate in identifying/confirming the participants iv) What the role the participant plays in the ASGM activities ASGM is undertaken by low income, less educated local people. Even though, mercury pollution affect all people on earth the underprivileged miners, their families and their downstream neighbours are the most heavily exposed. Unlike most national authorities, this project is pro-ASGM, and we will address health issues among the local as well as the global population.
Resume
Guldgravning (Artisanal Small Scale Gold Mining: ASGM) er drevet af fattigdom. Godt halvdelen af den menneskeskabte udledning af kviksølv kommer fra ASGM. Miljøforurening og de følgende alvorlige helbredsskader hos børn og voksne rammer lokalt og siden globalt. Diálogos og Bantox har vist, at det er muligt at få et mineområde til at skifte til kviksølvfri guldudvindingsmetoder. For første gang i verden er et kviksølvfrit alternativ dokumenteret som værende praktisk anvendeligt. Der er omfattende og lignende ASGM i Afrika. Formålet med dette projekt er at introducere den kviksølvfri metode i Uganda + kapacitetsopbygge udvalgte guldgravere og to nye partnerorganisationer med viden om kviksølvforurening og kviksølvfri guldminedrift, så de kan udføre fortalervirksomhed for kviksølvfri guldudvinding i Uganda, i Afrika og internationalt. Projektet vil gøde jorden for finansiering af flere implementeringsprojekter i Afrika.