Joseph Gbassa, the manager, program and performance at the environmental protection agency has participated in a Biennial Planet GOLD global workshop on artisanal small-scale gold mining in Manila, Philippines.

The focus of the workshop was based on the plans to facilitate discussions on formalising the artisanal small-scale gold mining sector, improving access to finance, and using free mercury technology.

The workshop brought together participants from mining entities, governmental regulatory agencies in the mining sector, development partners, policy and technical experts, and members of the private sector—to share evidence, ideas, and lessons learned in global efforts to improve and formalise the Artisanal Small-scale Gold mining sector and how they can concertedly work to achieve a mercury-free future.

The revealed that the Biennial Planet Gold initiative is staged every two years and is divided into two phases: Phase One, which includes nations that have already begun implementation, and Phase Two, which includes countries that have not yet begun.

Phase One of the project described countries that have implemented and shared their methodologies, strategies, frameworks, and challenges.

This was demonstrated through panel discussions and videos describing the use of free mercury gold processing machines, washing and separation by gravity or magnetic techniques, crushing, and the use of purely physical and non-chemical technology.

“According to our mandate in sections 12 (2) (m) (iii) of the EPA Act of 2022 on the promotion and establishment of national standards and guidelines related to the pollution of air, water, land, and other forms of environmental pollution, including the discharge of wastes and the control of toxic substances, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau, the knowledge gained would enhance our drive towards data collection tools, reporting templates and methodology, an online grievance resolution mechanism, and the role of communication in the hashtag#ASGM sector.  He stated.