Artisanal Gold Council Secures U.S. Department of State Grant to Promote Mercury-Free Gold Processing in Africa’s Sahel

The Artisanal Gold Council (AGC) is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a U.S. Department of State grant through the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES). This significant grant, valued at $300,000, will support AGC’s ongoing mission to promote sustainable and responsible artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Côte d'Ivoire. The focus of the project is to adopt mercury-free gold processing technologies across artisanal mining communities in the Sahel region.

Addressing Critical Environmental and Health Challenges

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining contributes approximately 20% of the global gold supply but often relies on mercury, a toxic substance, to extract gold. The health and environmental impacts of mercury use are severe, posing risks to local communities and ecosystems. In Côte d'Ivoire, this problem is compounded by limited access to formal financing, which forces miners to rely on informal lenders who support outdated and harmful mining practices.

AGC’s project, funded through this U.S. Department of State initiative, directly addresses these challenges. The grant will enable AGC to introduce mercury-free processing technologies, which not only improve gold recovery rates but also protect both human health and the environment.

Core Objectives of the Project

The project aligns closely with AGC’s core mission and the objectives outlined in the U.S. Department of State’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Over the next 36 months, AGC will work with artisanal mining communities at four key sites in Côte d'Ivoire. The project’s primary objectives include:

Training and Capacity Building: Educating miners on how to develop mine site plans that meet formal financial sector requirements. This will facilitate miners' access to financing and mercury-free processing technologies.

Ore Characterization and Mine Planning: Evaluating the mineralogical profiles and gold deposits

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