Senegal

The Artisanal Gold Council (AGC) is proud to announce its latest initiative in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) under the planetGOLD programme. The project, Global Opportunities for the Long-Term Development of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Sector in Senegal, will address mercury pollution and promote sustainable mining practices in the country's key artisanal gold-producing regions.

Tackling Mercury Use in Senegal’s Artisanal Gold Sector

Senegal's artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector is a significant livelihood for thousands, but widespread mercury use poses severe health and environmental risks. Artisanal miners in the Kédougou and Tambacounda regions rely heavily on mercury to process gold, leading to toxic emissions and polluted ecosystems.

The planetGOLD Senegal project aims to transform this sector by promoting mercury-free technologies, formalizing mining practices, and improving miners' access to financing, resulting in a cleaner, safer, and more responsible gold supply chain.

Key Objectives and Impact Areas

The project focuses on four key components to drive long-term, sustainable change:

1. Formalizing the ASGM Sector
   Supporting miners to obtain legal permits, establish responsible enterprises, and reduce mercury use through tailored capacity-building programs.
2. Improving Access to Finance
   Developing financial mechanisms to help miners transition to mercury-free technologies and formal markets, ensuring sustainable economic growth.
3. Introducing Mercury-Free Gold Processing Technologies
   Establishing pilot mercury-free processing plants and providing miners with the tools and training needed to improve gold recovery without using toxic chemicals.
4. Knowledge Management and Communications
   Raising awareness about the dangers of mercury and promoting best practices through outreach campaigns and global knowledge-sharing platforms.

Expected Outcomes and Global Environmental Benefits (GEBs)

The project will contribute significantly to both local and global environmental goals:

• 37,000 hectares of terrestrial protected areas under improved management.
• 1,070,000 hectares of landscapes with sustainable land management practices.
• The reduction of 6.45 tons of mercury emissions.
• Improved livelihoods for 6,250 artisanal miners and community members.

Regional and Global Significance

Beyond Senegal, the project will collaborate with neighboring countries, including Gambia, Guinea, and Mali, to reduce mercury pollution in the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem and protect biodiversity hotspots like the Niokolo-Koba National Park. The project also aligns with Senegal’s commitments under the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

By building on the planetGOLD programme’s global framework and leveraging existing resources, planetGOLD Senegal represents a critical step toward a safer, more sustainable future for artisanal gold mining in West Africa.