- Initiative targets 7,500 artisanal gold miners and will be spread in over five years at a cost of $24 million.
- In Zimbabwe, about 96% of artisanal gold mine sites use mercury, with miners working without protective gear.
- Mercury used in gold extraction goes a long way in polluting air, water and soil, thereby worsening food chains.
Thousands of workers in artisanal gold mines in Zimbabwe are set to benefit from a $23.7 million initiative that seeks to significantly reduce the use of toxic mercury element in the mineral’s extraction across the country.
The government-backed project aims to align the country with responsible mining industry standards at a time when buyers in the world are championing for ethical sourcing of minerals.
According to a statement, the initiative was launched in mid-November in the capital Harare with an Inception Workshop that drew stakeholders to discuss how planetGOLD Zimbabwe will support a more …
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