ASGM in the global context. Ms. Brenda Koekkoek SAICM Secretariat UNEP Chemicals Photo: Courtesy of Artisanal Gold Council

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1 Mercury: ASGM in the global context Ms. Brenda Koekkoek SAICM Secretariat UNEP Chemicals Photo: Courtesy of Artisanal Gold Council Sustainable Artisanal Mining Conference May 2013, Mongolia

2 Mercury and the Minamata Convention 19 January 2013: Governments agreed to the text of the Minamata Convention on Mercury Historical step forward in protecting human health and the environment

3 Source: Dastoo, A. and Davignon, D. (2008). Eds: Pirrone, N. and Mason, R. Interim Report of the UNEP Global Partnership Why mercury? Global Concern: atmospheric transport bio-accumulation impacts on human health & the environment

4 Regional mercury emissions Estimated mercury emissions at 777 tonnes for the region. Global estimate is 1960 tonnes.

5 Comparison to other regions EU 27 South America Sub-Saharan Africa East and Southeast Asia

6 UNEP Mercury Programme: Two tracks 1. UNEP Global Mercury Partnership 2. Negotiation of the Global legally-binding Instrument on Mercury (Minamata Convention)

7 Track 1. Global Mercury Partnership Collaboration since 2005 Formalized in partnership areas and an advisory group 111 official partners: 25 governments, 5 intergovernmental organizations, 48 non-government organizations, 40 others Always encouraging new members.

8 Artisanal and small-scale mining; Partnership area Jointly led by UNIDO and NRDC. Focused on technical and formalization solutions, providing guidance and generating information that is useful for decision-makers. Coordinating network of experts supporting efforts

9 Reliable information is critical - Supporting efforts - Decision-making - Setting targets - Efficient use of resources - Tracking progress

10 Track 2. The Minamata Convention on Mercury Highlights: Ban on new mercury mines and phase-out of existing ones, Control measures on air emissions, Phase-out and phase-down dates for mercury use in products and processes, International controls on ASGM, Compliance mechanism.

11 What does the Minamata Convention do for the ASGM sector? Formal recognition of ASGM sector in its own article. Provides a definition gold mining conducted by individual miners or small enterprises with limited capital investment and production.

12 ASGM Article -Commitment to reduce, and where feasible eliminate, mercury use from mining and processing. -ASGM is an allowed use for mercury under the treaty. -Parties with significant sectors obligated to develop National Action Plans for reducing mercury use 3 years after entry into force.

13 National Action Plans to Reduce Mercury Include: (a) National objectives and reduction targets (b) Actions to eliminate worst practices (c) Steps to facilitate formalization or regulation (d) Baseline estimates of quantities of mercury used and practices employed (f) Strategies for reducing emissions & managing trade (g) Develop a public health strategy (h) Involve stakeholders, address vulnerable populations (j) Strategies for information sharing.

14 Guidance is available through the Global Mercury Partnership -Practical Guide for Reducing Mercury (technical) -National Planning Guidance -Analysis of Formalization Approaches

15 Treaty promotes other facilitative actions (a) Provision of technical and financial assistance (b) Development of strategies to prevent the diversion of mercury for use in ASGM (c) Education, outreach and capacity-building initiatives (d) Promotion of research into sustainable non-mercury alternative practices (e) Partnerships to assist in the implementation of their commitments (f) Information exchange to promote knowledge, best environmental practices and alternative technologies that are environmentally, technically, socially and economically viable.

16 Signing the Minamata Convention 7-11 October 2013 Convention will be open for signature in October at the Diplomatic Conference in Japan. INC5 Entry into force 90 days after 50 nations ratify (this may take about 2-3 years)

17 Mercury - Window of Opportunity Promote a green economy Build regional solutions Address other threats Get involved!

18 Thank you Or Brenda Koekkoek Tel: +41 (0) Chemicals Branch, Division of Technology, Industry and Economics, International Environment House 1, Chemin des Anémones CH 1219 Châtelaine, Geneva, Switzerland