Environment for Development Perspectives: Mercury Use in Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining

UNEP DTIE Chemicals Branch work on artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is based on the fact that this is the largest demand sector for mercury globally. A number of targeted actions to promote the reduction of mercury use and releases in this sector are on going within the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership while negotiations on the forthcoming Global Mercury instrument are underway. In this context, this study explores potential environment, social and development co-benefits from reduction and elimination of mercury use in ASGM through an economic lens; and the policy options and financing aspects for making this transition.