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One year ago, a promise was made: to work alongside the women miners of Madre de Dios and support them on their journey toward responsible mining. Today, that promise becomes a reality with the signing of an agreement between Pure Earth Peru and the Network of Women Miners of Madre de Dios, laying the foundation for collaborative efforts aimed at improving conditions in the sector and strengthening women’s leadership in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM).
This agreement marks the starting point of the project “Supporting Women Miners: Sustainable Livelihoods, Restored Environments”, funded by Brilliant Earth, a global leader in ethically sourced jewelry. The initiative will run from 2025 to 2027 and aims to strengthen the capacities of the Network of Women Miners in four key areas: mercury-free technologies, environmental mitigation and restoration, gold commercialization, and institutional development.
The significance of this agreement lies in the need to promote inclusion and equity within the mining sector, a field where women have historically had less visibility and access to opportunities. In Madre de Dios, 30% of formalized mining concessions are owned by women, and their participation in the gold commercialization chain is substantial. However, challenges remain, such as limited access to education, training opportunities, and financing.
This project builds on the foundations of the “Prevenir” initiative, funded by USAID, which supported the creation of the Network of Women Miners of Madre de Dios in 2022 and its legal formalization in 2023. With the completion of Prevenir, several NGOs—such as Solidaridad, Wyss Academy, and CINCIA—have continued supporting the Network. Pure Earth Peru has also played a key role in coordinating these efforts, ensuring that women miners are not left without support.
The signed agreement is a testament to responsibility and commitment. Pure Earth acts as a facilitator, connecting the needs of communities with the resources and knowledge of strategic allies like Brilliant Earth. Through this partnership, the goal is not only to improve mining practices and mitigate environmental impacts but also to empower women miners to become agents of change in their communities.
A core component of the project is the promotion of mercury-free technologies—a crucial step to reduce pollution and protect the health of miners as well as the biodiversity of the Peruvian Amazon. In addition, pilot reforestation activities will be implemented on mining concessions to provide practical learning on how to restore degraded areas and meet responsible mine closure requirements.
Women’s participation in mining deserves special recognition in this context. Their active involvement not only provides income for their families but also represents a unique opportunity to promote responsible practices within the sector.
The signing of this agreement marks the beginning of a joint effort to transform the mining sector, ensuring that women miners have the tools and support needed to lead a more responsible mining model aligned with national and international standards. This is just the first step in a transformational journey that seeks to impact not only the lives of these women but also the future of ASGM in Peru.
