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Clean Technologies Use

In southern Peru, women and men in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) are promoting mercury-free, responsible, and inclusive mining.

By planetGOLD

June 18^th, 2024

To reach the mining town of San José – La Eugenia, located in southern Peru in the Arequipa region, one must traverse a long path of valleys, deserts, and mining communities. The dirt road for access, now navigable by truck, was once traveled on foot by miners like Pedro Marquez. This arduous journey mirrors the current efforts of miners, including women mineral selectors, transitioning artisanal mining to clean practices without mercury.

The Arequipa region is a significant center for artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Peru. According to data from the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) of Peru, 16,733 of the 86,934 registrations in the REINFO (national mining formalization list) and 1,666 of the 11,564 holders of formalized mining concessions are from this region. Pedro Márquez, Simona Ayauri, Manuel Reinoso, and Claudia Tilataipe work at the La Nueva Victoria mining concession, a mining company located in the small town of San José – La Eugenia.

Pedro's story is the story of many artisanal miners. He came to the area seeking better opportunities, found gold, and eventually settled near his artisanal mining operation. "We worked without basic services, driven by the responsibility for our families and children. Now, as a mining entrepreneur, I provide jobs to others, offering the best possible conditions and supporting the town," Pedro reflects, comparing his early days to the progress they have made, including the use of machinery in mining and the establishment of a health post and school in the town.

Challenges of Mercury Use

San José – La Eugenia is home to 610 inhabitants (INEI, 2017), whose main source of livelihood, both directly and indirectly, is artisanal and small-scale mining. Consequently, the inappropriate use of mercury for gold extraction puts in a severe risk the mining community and its surroundings.

Mercury is commonly used in artisanal and small-scale mining due to its ability to amalgamate with gold and separate this precious metal from the ore easily, as it does not require sophisticated equipment or advanced technical knowledge. However, mercury is a toxic substance that contaminates the environment, affects the central nervous system, and can cause irreversible damage to children under five years old.

Therefore, despite its local economic importance, artisanal and small-scale mining faces numerous challenges. Lack of awareness about the impacts of mercury, limited access to mercury-free gold processing technologies, low financial literacy, and the absence of financial products for ASGM hinder the sector's professionalization and transition to clean technologies.

In response to these challenges, the planetGOLD Peru project has been promoting mercury-free, responsible, and inclusive practices for small-scale and artisanal mining in the regions of Arequipa, Piura, and Puno since 2020. Nationally, it works on strengthening institutions and the regulatory framework of ASGM, developing, and promoting financial products and mechanisms for the acquisition of mercury-free alternative technologies. Locally, in areas like La Eugenia – San José, it provides technical assistance to miners, including women miners and mineral selectors, in formalization, clean technologies, and financial education, while raising awareness among mining communities about the use of mercury.

Environmentally Responsible Transformation

The transition to clean technologies is a complex process that requires a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach and the invaluable commitment of mining communities.

"Mining is tough work. Little by little, we are working to make it responsible and able to export for the benefit of the population. This requires various processes and technological advancements," says Manuel Reinoso, a miner since 1993, partner at La Nueva Victoria, and responsible for motivating the community to seek alliances to stop using mercury, thereby obtaining greater profits without polluting the environment while taking care of their health.

In San José – La Eugenia, there is a communal mercury retort that reduces the amount of mercury emitted into the air during the burning of mercury-gold amalgam. However, in 2020, La Nueva Victoria still used quimbaletes, to which mercury was added to process the ore extracted from tunnels and slopes.

Simona, a mining partner at La Nueva Victoria, highlights the incorporation of new technologies, stating, "The activity is changing. It used to be done by hand, and now we use compressors and machinery." Similarly, Pedro emphasizes his stance on clean practices: "We must continue training. Miners are concerned about environmental issues because we are the most affected by mercury pollution."

The installation of gravimetric plants in La Nueva Victoria to process gold without mercury was completed in April 2023, following a prior process of awareness and capacity building. These technologies allow miners to recover more than 90% of the mineral, a higher percentage compared to the 60% they used to recover using mercury. From their installation to December 2023, the use of 1.2 tons of mercury has been eliminated, and it is projected that by 2034, the use of 7 tons of mercury will be avoided.

Inclusive Development to Leave No One Behind

The progress in San José – La Eugenia toward gold without mercury production significantly contributes to SDG 12 of responsible production and consumption. However, true development cannot be achieved without including women in artisanal mining, the most vulnerable group in the sector and at the highest risk of mercury pollution. These women, in addition to being the most conscious of environmental care, play a crucial role in sustainable development for future generations.

Claudia is a pallaquera; she learned mining work from her mother, Simona. "We, the mineral selectors, collect the gold discarded by miners and with that gold, we sustain our homes and our children," she proudly says, admiring what the women in her community have achieved. Associativity has been the starting point for her and her companions; in July 2022, they legally formed the Katarata Mineral Selectors Association, which allows them to use gravimetric plants to process gold without mercury.

"As a group, it's better to claim a fair right," Claudia emphasizes, inviting other women mineral selectors to join and open up financing opportunities for complementary or alternative activities to mining, such as the bakery and pastry shop "Las Eugenias," an initiative started with other pallaqueras with support from UNDP and the NGO Solidaridad.

The balance of the economic development of mining communities with environmental preservation, and the involvement of miners in the transition process toward more responsible and inclusive practices, ensures the sustainability of good practices that protect both people and the planet.

The GEF-funded planetGOLD initiative is implemented in Peru by the Ministry of the Environment (MINAM) with technical assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM). Globally, it is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Footnotes

Text & Photos: Jane Lazarte - planetGOLD Perú (UNDP) // Videos: Documentar for planetGOLD Perú (UNDP)

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FootNotes

Text & Photos: Jane Lazarte - planetGOLD Perú (UNDP) // Videos: Documentar for planetGOLD Perú (UNDP)

GOLD WITHOUT MERCURY

Clean Technologies Use

In southern Peru, women and men in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) are promoting mercury-free, responsible, and inclusive mining.

FootNotes

Intergenerational actions for responsible artisanal mining in the north of Peru

Acciones intergeneracionales para una minería artesanal responsable en el norte del Perú

En el sur del Perú, las mujeres y hombres de la MAPE están impulsando una minería sin mercurio, responsable e inclusiva.

Members of the planetGOLD global team reflect on equitable opportunities for women

June 24^th, 2022

The Historic Gold Town of Paracale

FootNotes

Intergenerational actions for responsible artisanal mining in the north of Peru

Acciones intergeneracionales para una minería artesanal responsable en el norte del Perú

En el sur del Perú, las mujeres y hombres de la MAPE están impulsando una minería sin mercurio, responsable e inclusiva.

Members of the planetGOLD global team reflect on equitable opportunities for women

June 24th, 2022

The Historic Gold Town of Paracale

June 24^th, 2022