International representatives learned about the work Pure Earth Peru is promoting alongside local mining organizations to advance clean technologies, reduce mercury exposure, and foster more responsible artisanal mining practices in the Amazon.
Pure Earth Peru participated in the first in-person Amazon Gold Alliance (AGA) Summit, held on April 21 and 22, 2026, in Lima. The international gathering brought together nearly 60 stakeholders connected to the gold value chain to discuss the challenges and opportunities surrounding mining in the Amazon Basin.
Over the course of two days, representatives from several countries — including Amazonian nations such as Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela — shared experiences and lessons learned aimed at understanding the challenges associated with mining and developing alternatives to reduce environmental impacts and mercury exposure in Amazonian communities.
Following the summit, and as part of the exchange activities promoted during the event, Pure Earth Peru facilitated a field visit to Madre de Dios so that members of the international delegation could gain firsthand insight into artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) experiences implementing clean technologies, environmental restoration initiatives, and practices designed to reduce mercury use.
Richard Reithinger, Vice President of Programs at Pure Earth globally, also participated in the visit to Madre de Dios as part of the activities promoted by our organization during the summit, accompanying the exchange of experiences with international representatives.
Also participating were Rodrigo Velarde, Country Director of Pure Earth Peru; France Cabanillas, Pure Earth Project Coordinator in Madre de Dios and mercury specialist; and Sofía López, Project Assistant for Pure Earth Peru in Madre de Dios.
Clean Technologies and Responsible Mining in the Field
During the visit, the delegation toured mining concessions belonging to the Women’s ASGM Network of Madre de Dios, an organization with which Pure Earth Peru has been working collaboratively to strengthen safer and more sustainable mining practices.
The concessions visited included Saltur VI and the Tauro Fátima Artisanal Miners Association (AMATAF), which brings together four formal mining concessions: Linda 2, Fátima, El Príncipe Azul 1, and Abel 3.
At these sites, Pure Earth Peru showcased part of the technical assistance it provides to support the transition toward mercury-free gold recovery technologies, as well as initiatives related to training, contaminant exposure reduction, and the restoration of areas impacted by mining activities.
One of the cases presented was Saltur VI, a concession that successfully transitioned to mercury-free mining through the use of a gravimetric table. In addition, the concession recently carried out reforestation activities as part of its mine closure process and is currently preparing to apply for Fairmined certification.
The delegation also visited AMATAF, recognized as a benchmark for responsible mining in Madre de Dios for being the first organization in the entire Amazon region to obtain Fairmined certification — an international recognition that promotes responsible mining standards and gold traceability.
The visit also created opportunities for representatives from different Amazonian countries to exchange experiences regarding the challenges faced by artisanal and small-scale mining in the region, as well as the alternatives already being implemented to reduce environmental and health impacts.
International Exchange to Strengthen Solutions
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), artisanal and small-scale gold mining is responsible for approximately 37% of global mercury emissions generated by human activities, making it one of the world’s leading sources of mercury pollution.
In response, initiatives promoted by Pure Earth Peru together with mining organizations in Madre de Dios seek to demonstrate that it is possible to advance toward more responsible practices through the use of clean technologies, formalization processes, and environmental restoration efforts.
“Many discussions about responsible mining remain at the theoretical level. Being able to visit these experiences on the ground and speak directly with the people leading them helps us better understand both the challenges and the solutions that are already being built in Madre de Dios. This exchange is essential to continue strengthening sustainable initiatives in the region,” said Rodrigo Velarde, Country Director of Pure Earth Peru.
Pure Earth Peru’s participation in the Amazon Gold Alliance Summit helped strengthen exchanges between international stakeholders and local organizations, highlighting experiences that are already demonstrating that it is possible to move toward artisanal mining with lower environmental impact and free of mercury in the Amazon.
The Amazon Gold Alliance (AGA) is a collaborative innovation network convened by Amazon Aid that brings together Indigenous leaders, scientists, environmental organizations, civil society representatives, experts on environmental and financial crimes, government officials, and stakeholders linked to the gold value chain from different Amazonian countries, with the aim of promoting solutions to the social and environmental impacts of gold mining in the Amazon.
