According to the Government Resolution No. 355 of 2019 on measures to be taken regarding artisanal and small-scale mining activities, no new land will be allocated for artisanal mining. Therefore, although there is no formal artisanal mining activity in the soum, there is still a need for capacity building training for ASM community members.
Participants are learning about the environment for artisanal and small-scale mining, the legal environment for OHS responsibilities, the specifics of mineral and mining-related rehabilitation methods, safety standards, risk identification, health risk prevention, mercury harm, and human rights.
The Global Environment Facility is implementing the Planet-GOLD program to help countries that have joined the Minamata Convention on Mercury reduce mercury consumption in artisanal gold mining. The project in Mongolia is implemented by the UN Environment Programme and UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and executed by Artisanal Gold Council and Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia. Bulgan soum is one of the project executing areas.
With the ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2015, Mongolia has committed to reduce the use of mercury in artisanal gold mining. planetGOLD Project aims to formalize the ASGM sector in the Mongolia and the Philippines by: Formalizing and professionalizing the sector, helping miners access finance and markets for responsible gold, moving to mercury-free mining and processing systems, as well as sharing knowledge nationally and internationally.
UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization
