National Stakeholders Unite to Forge Mercury-Free Future for Uganda’s Artisanal Gold Mining
KAMPALA – A collective resolve to transform Uganda’s Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector into a model of responsible, mercury-free mining marked the successful conclusion of the annual @planetGOLD_UG stakeholders’ meeting this week.
The gathering, which brought together miners, government agencies, development partners, and the private sector, highlighted significant progress driven by strong collaboration, while frankly addressing the persistent challenges of affordability and accessibility of mercury alternatives.
Under the theme of turning commitments into action, the meeting served as a powerful reaffirmation of Uganda’s dedication to the Minamata Convention. The @planetGOLD_UG project, supported by the Global Environment Facility (@theGEF), led by the United Nations Environment Programme (@UNEP), and executed by @IMPACTtransform in partnership with Uganda’s National Environment Management Authority (@nemaug) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (@MEMD_Uganda), was celebrated as a critical driver of this national agenda.
A Journey, Not an Endpoint
In his closing remarks, Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, Executive Director of @nemaug, framed the event as a beginning. “As we leave this national engagement, let us remember that this is not the end of a meeting, but the beginning of a journey,” he stated. “This journey will demonstrate that environmental sustainability & economic opportunity aren’t competing choices, but complementary goals.”
He directly commended the miners, saying, “Your willingness to engage openly is commendable,” and reiterated NEMA’s commitment to supporting the mercury transition through guidance and compliance assistance.
The vision, as articulated by @nemaug, is ambitious: to ensure Uganda’s mining sector “becomes a model of responsible mining in Africa and the world at large.”
Addressing the Core Challenge
The dialogue consistently confronted a stark reality: mercury remains affordable, easily accessible, and simple to use for many artisanal miners. Participants acknowledged that eradicating its use requires more than awareness; it demands practical, economically viable alternatives and systemic support.
Professor James Okot Okumu, Chairman of the NEMA Board, expanded the call to action beyond environmental circles, urging the banking sector to develop financing mechanisms for the mining sector to facilitate the adoption of mercury-free technologies.
Unity in Purpose and Action
High-level representatives underscored the deep integration and shared purpose of the collaboration. Irene Batebe, Permanent Secretary of @MEMD_Uganda, revealed, “In the ministry, sometimes we view @planetGOLD_UG as an extension of the ministry.” She delivered a potent public health message to miners: “Your health is your wealth… you might have the gold and spend all the money on a hospital bed.”
Lynn Gitu, Project Manager for @planetGOLD_UG, emphasized the scale of the imperative, noting the sector potentially reaches over 70,000 people in Uganda. “Protecting these communities and workers from toxic mercury is not optional. It’s a massive public health and environmental imperative,” she said.
Joan Lebert, Executive Director of @IMPACTtransform, outlined the project’s holistic approach, stating that sustainable change requires listening to and being led by local communities, while building solutions alongside authorities. She highlighted the project’s alignment with Uganda’s national priorities: formalizing the ASM sector, phasing out mercury, and boosting domestic revenue and value addition.
International partners reinforced their commitment. Altanbagana Bayarsaikhan of @UNEP stated, “Our mission to eliminate mercury from ASGM is urgent & essential,” expressing pride in partnering with Uganda to fulfill its Minamata commitments.
The consensus was clear: only through continued combined effort at personal, community, and governmental levels can Uganda overcome the challenges and realize a safer, more prosperous, and mercury-free ASGM sector. The journey toward making mercury history is firmly underway.
MakeMercuryHistory
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