Country Summary

With over 16,000 Peruvians dying each year from pollution-related diseases, pollution has a huge health cost in Peru. Mercury from gold mining is responsible for many of these deaths. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a traditional livelihood in Peru, providing much needed income for many impoverished communities. Currently, the prevailing method of ASGM in the country involves using large amounts of mercury to extract gold. These activities result in the release of tons of mercury each year, causing significant air, soil, and water contamination and severe health impacts on local communities. Without intervention and remediation, mercury contamination will continue to poison generations of Peruvians.

Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health- Peru Summary

Pollution is responsible for 12.9% of deaths in Peru. Learn more about how pollution affects health and the economy in Peru by reading the Peru Summary Report, based on the Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health.

Project Completion Reports

• Community-driven Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Remediation (2019)
• Used Lead Acid Battery Recycling in Lima (2015)

Project Pages

• Projects in Progress
  • Reducing Impacts of Mercury from Artisanal Gold Mining in Canta
• Completed Projects:
  • Artisanal Gold Mining Remediation Planning (2018)
  • Used Lead-Acid Battery Recycling in Lima (2015)
  • Madre de Dios Mercury Pollution (2014)
  • Lake Titicaca Wetlands Contamination (2014)
  • TSIP Training, Lima (2012)
  • TSIP Training, Lima (2009)
  • La Oroya Lead Pollution (2007)

Educational Materials/Posters

Education and Remediation Efforts to Reduce Mercury Use and Contamination in the ASGM sector of Puno and Madre de Dios