UNEP’s work on mercury and Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) starts with its Enabling Activities and Article 7 and Annex C of the Minamata Convention.
While current activities under the UNEP-GEF Chemicals and Waste Portfolio focus on reducing mercury releases from industrial sectors such as ASGM, coal-fired power plants and chlor-alkali production, the Portfolio is also exploring new areas of action to reduce mercury risks to human health and the environment, including work on dental amalgam, cosmetic products and medical devices.
Highlights
UNEP has supported 65 countries in the world in developing their Minamata Initial Assessments (MIAs). 50 countries have ratified the Minamata Convention and can now develop projects and programmes on mercury.
UNEP has also supported more than 50 countries in the development of their National Action Plans on Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (NAPs) by providing technical assistance and guidance in mercury-free technologies, formalization, baseline assessments, and other topics.
