On July 24, the clean gold extraction plant of Victoria Condori, a formal mining concessionaire and active member of the Women Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners (ASM) Network of Madre de Dios, was inaugurated at the Saltur VI concession, located in the district of Laberinto.
This milestone marks a significant step forward in the transition toward responsible, mercury-free artisanal mining in the region. Victoria’s decision to implement mercury-free technologies reflects her commitment to health, the environment, and the future of women-led mining.
The installation and commissioning of the plant was made possible through collaboration with the Sustainable Livelihoods, Restored Environments project, implemented since January 2025 with financial support from the jeweler Brilliant Earth.
We know that transitioning to clean technologies is not an easy process. It requires determination, investment, technical support, and, above all, the will to change. Victoria’s example is an inspiration for other women miners in the Network who are committed to this path.
“My plan is to produce clean gold and to also encourage my fellow miners to make this commitment. It’s not easy, but with perseverance and unity we are learning together. Let’s show that women can, and that mercury-free mining is possible, without contaminating the environment”, Victoria Condori, Saltur VI concession.
From now on, the challenge will be to refine the process and transform Victoria’s efforts into added value by connecting clean gold production with responsible buyers interested in mercury-free supply chains. Pure Earth will provide the specialized support needed to make this connection possible.
Parallel to this event, a Workshop on Mercury-Free Technologies was held, where the women miners of the Network strengthened their knowledge across the entire clean gold extraction process — from the initial stage of clarification (pre-concentration of auriferous material), separation with the shaking table, sintering, magnetic cleaning, and finally, refining with borax or smelting. Victoria entrusted the management of the plant to Yelsi Tolentino, formerly a cook at the mining camp, who will now be responsible for a critical stage of the process: ore beneficiation.
This training space was supported by the strategic allies of the Women ASM Network: CINCIA, Solidaridad, and Wyss Academy, who reaffirmed their commitment through the signing of an inter-institutional agreement to continue strengthening and supporting the Network’s work.
An important aspect to highlight is that there are more women miners who are interested in abandoning mercury use, and these spaces serve to demonstrate that change is possible and to motivate them to take the next step.
Responsible ASM in Madre de Dios is possible, and the women of the Network are proving it in the field, with concrete actions and visible results.
We congratulate Victoria Condori for her leadership and efforts, and all the women miners who, like her, are paving a new path for mining in Peru as agents of change from Madre de Dios.
