Help Women Gold Miners in Madre de Dios, Peru Mine without Mercury, Restore Rainforest and Install Solar Power
In the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, Madre de Dios faces the environmental and social challenges posed by artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). However, a group of women is transforming this reality through an innovative project led by Pure Earth Peru, supporting responsible mercury-free practices and ecological mine closure in this globally significant biodiversity hotspot.
This project, Supporting Women Miners: Sustainable Livelihoods, Restored Environments, not only aims to eliminate mercury from artisanal mining but also empowers women as pillars of change in their communities and the industry. What began as an effort to introduce responsible technologies has evolved into a movement led by women who are transforming mining and paving the way toward a more just, equitable, and sustainable future in Madre de Dios.
About This Project
In Madre de Dios, 30% of formalized mining concessions are owned by women, and their participation in the gold commercialization chain is substantial. The Women Miners’ Network, is a legally established association seeking to make a difference through upholding social and environmental responsibility. This project aims to strengthen the Women’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Network of Madre de Dios through five key pillars:
- Training in mercury-free technologies, including the use and maintenance of gravimetric tables and innovative methods to eliminate mercury in gold processing.
- Rehabilitation and reforestation of mined areas, establishing demonstration plots that incorporate biochar production and soil amendment techniques.
- Access to ethical markets, providing training in leadership, commercialization, and mercury-free jewelry making, aligning with the growing global demand for responsible practices.
- Strengthening communication skills, including digital media training to showcase achievements and connect with national and international stakeholders.
- Installing solar panels to power mercury-free technologies, alleviating high fuel costs that generally make-up over 40% of mining expenses.
Why We Work in Madre de Dios, Peru
Peru is the largest gold producer in South America, with 70% of its ASGM gold coming from the Madre de Dios region. Home to approximately 140,000 people, around half of the population is estimated to be directly or indirectly involved in ASGM. Located in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, Madre de Dios is a global biodiversity hotspot, yet it faces severe environmental threats from mercury use and deforestation linked to informal and illegal mining.
Since 2014, Pure Earth has worked in Madre de Dios, fostering trust and collaboration with mining associations and key partners, achieving transformative results. Notable successes include reforesting over 10 hectares with more than 10,000 native trees, implementing mercury-free technology, and obtaining Fairmined certifications for mining concessions. This groundwork has paved the way for this new project, now placing women at the forefront of change, recognizing their crucial role as agents of transformation in responsible mining.
Learn About Global Mercury Pollution and Poisoning
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal and one of the top ten chemicals of major public health concern according to the World Health Organization. Exposure to mercury can cause damage to the nervous, digestive and immune systems, as well as the lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes. Mercury is particularly dangerous to young children, babies in utero and pregnant women.
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the leading source of mercury pollution globally. ASGM activity releases an estimated 2,000 tonnes of mercury into the environment annually. The sector produces about 12 to 15% of the world’s gold. There are an estimated 10 to 15 million artisanal and small-scale gold miners worldwide, including 4 to 5 million women and children.
ASGM is vital for many families but is hindered by poor working conditions, lack of technology, training, and financing. Pure Earth has been working in Madre de Dios, Peru on this issue for the past 8 years, supporting miners in their transition to mercury-free mining, ecological mine closure using reforestation and connecting to markets that value that transition. A model of responsible small-scale mining is taking root and expanding.