ACCC ENGAGEMENT TO PHASE OUT MERCURY USE AMONG SMALL SCALE GOLD MINERS (ASGM) IN UGANDA

Action Coalition on Climate Change (ACCC) with support from IPEN has conducted a status report regarding mercury import, trade, use, and environmental and human health impacts in the ASGM in Uganda. The report is yet to be published. This has been accomplished between January and March 2025. This study is an integral part of the wider project that seeks to amend the Convention to end mercury trade and introduce a 2032 phase-out date for mercury use in ASGM in Uganda. The study recommends the following;

1. End the global mercury trade

1. Mercury trade is addressed primarily under Article 3 of the Convention. Paragraphs 6 and 8 provide that Parties shall not allow the export or import of mercury, respectively, unless under specific conditions. These specific conditions need to be specified by each country to avoid continued use and hiding under the “specific conditions”.
2. The in-country focal point persons need to have mechanisms that encouragee Parties (users across the chain) to promote collaboration between Ministries and Agencies within their country, so that more accurate country-specific data about the magnitude can be generated to inform decision making.

2. End of mercury use in ASGM by 2032.

1. Lack of awareness and skills about the use of other methods other than Mercury. Mercury-free gold mining is a safer, more sustainable, and more efficient way to extract gold. While there are challenges and limitations, the benefits of mercury-free gold mining make it an attractive alternative to traditional mercury-based methods.
2. Government can make mercury difficult to access through tougher restrictions including high taxes to make it non-profitable for use in gold mining.

ACCC engagement with ASGM in Tiira-Busia who use mercury in gold amalgamation.