The Minamata Convention's Financial Mechanism: Funding Requirements for Formalisation Activities Related to Artisanal and Small- cale Gold Mining

Abstract

The report is part of an inter- and transdisciplinary research project by the Wyss Academy for Nature and the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) at the University of Bern on ASGM. The research team seeks to find ways to foster the transition towards a more responsible model of ASGM, especially in the region of Madre de Dios in Peru. The aim is to ensure that miners and their communities achieve economic and social benefits, while negative impacts on the environment are minimized. We acknowledge that gold mining and trading plays an important economic role in regions such as Madre de Dios and can help to meet the basic needs of the local population. However, we assume that structural adjustments can significantly improve the protection of people and their health, as well as the environment, especially water bodies and forests. This working paper contributes to a better understanding of the potential and limits of the international financial regime in support of the structural adjustments required for long-term market access of ASGM gold.

Keywords: Peru, Madre de Dios, ASGM, Minamata Convention, Mercury, Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM), Formalization Global Environment Facility (GEF), Sustainable Mining, Development Finance, Environmental Governance