Artisanal Gold Council

Published purpose

The project aims to improve incomes, health, and the environment of the vulnerable and marginalized men and women dependent on the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) economy in targeted areas in Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Java and Sulawesi. The project improves mining, environmental and social practices for men and women involved in the ASGM, including identifying alternatives to mercury use and training on safe handling of cyanide. The project also supports targeted subnational governments to better collaborate with the formal extractive sector and supports the formalization of ASGM activities through legal trade of responsible artisanal gold and value-added products in domestic and international markets. Activities include: (1) provide training on better practices for men and women miners; (2) provide training to targeted government and civil society groups on ASGM regulation and management; and (3) establish collaborative mechanisms with other relevant initiatives promoting responsible gold and diversification of the ASGM economy. This initiative supports the Government of Indonesia’s implementation of the Minamata Convention on mercury, which both Canada and Indonesia signed in 2013.