MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 31, 2013) – Philippine government agencies along with BAN Toxics and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization are preparing for a project that would eliminate mercury use in artisanal and small scale-mining in the country.
The primary aim of the project is to strengthen national capacity to manage mercury by establishing a formal national institution and training of key stakeholders.
Representatives from the agencies and local governments, including small-scale miners groups attended the project’s inception workshop held recently in Pasig City.
“We fully support the Philippines’ efforts to address the issue of mercury use in small-scale mining. This project is a testament to the efforts being undertaken by the Philippines in taking a lead in solving this difficult and complex issue,” said UNIDO representative Ludovic Bernaudat.
Through the project, an institution will be established to provide training and certification for miners aiming to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of mercury in their practice.
The project will also develop and deliver health education, techniques, and technology training programs, including early recognition and identification of mercury poisoning at the community level.
“The beneficiaries of this project are the communities around small-scale mining areas. If we are able to change the mining methods, the approach, and bring a common vision and goal among the miners and the community, BAN Toxics and its partners would have secured a strong measure of success and pave the way for a long-term solution to the problem,” BAN Toxics executive director lawyer Richard Gutierrez said during the workshop.
According to a study conducted by the United Nations Environment Program, artisanal and small-scale gold mining is the single largest mercury emitting sector in the Philippines, having been recognized to discharge about 70 metric tons or more than 30% of the country’s annual mercury releases.
The indiscriminate use of mercury contributes to serious long-term environmental and health problems burdened with social, technical and institutional issues, as well as the implementation of regulations.
In 2006, the United Nations reported that miners in the Philippines are found to have mercury levels up to 50 times above World Health Organization limits.
20