EEB/ZMWG-UNDP/SGP Asian Workshop. EXPERIENCES FROM THE FIELD: Ghana Case Solomon Kusi Ampofo

Transcription

1 EEB/ZMWG-UNDP/SGP Asian Workshop Building Local to Global Coalitions for Chemical and Waste Management towards Zero Mercury Use, Supply, Trade and Emissions Developing and implementing ASGM National Action Plans EXPERIENCES FROM THE FIELD: Ghana Case Solomon Kusi Ampofo May 18, 2018 Hotel De Moc, Bangkok, Thailand

2 Content 2 ASGM National Action Plan Overview of ASGM in Ghana Overview of the NAP project Expected outputs of the NAP project and responsible organisations 2 Case Studies Miner consultation Baseline inventory use in ASGM Challenges Tips

3 The Minamata Convention where is Ghana now? 3 Signed the Convention on September 24, 2014 Ratified the Convention on March 23, 2017 MIA and ASGM NAP projects launched in January, 2017

4 4 ASGM National Action Plan the Ghana Case

5 Overview of Ghana s ASGM sector 5 Legal framework Population Legal since 1989 The Minerals Commission is the main regulator, supported the EPA, Ghana Geological Survey Authority, Precious Mineral and Marketing Company and others There both licensed and non-licensed operations Over 1 million people are involved Indirectly supports the livelihoods of over 4.5 million people 31% in 2016 ( about 1.1 million ounces) Gold production Mercury is imported and it is used in ASGM Mercury use & trade

6 Overview of Ghana s ASGM sector 6 9 Districts Hard rock deposits Soft rock deposits Mining Centres Type of ores Mining & processing methods Underground Surface Sluicing Use of mercury

7 Overview of the ASGM NAP 7 Expected outputs Output 1.1: Information disseminated and project coordination mechanism established Output 1.2: National comprehensive analysis of ASGM sector completed to support the development and implementation of a road map to reduce mercury emissions and releases Output 1.3: Institutional and capacity needs assessment completed to develop a public health strategy on ASGM Output 1.4: Rapid health situation assessment conducted; drafting of the public health strategy initiated and awareness raising workshops organized Output 2.1: NAP drafted, finalized and presented to relevant stakeholders. Responsible institution/ organisation Environmental Protection Agency Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)/ Friends of the Nation World Health Organisation (WHO), Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service World Health Organisation (WHO), Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service Environmental Protection Agency

8 ASGM NAP progress made 8 Output 1.1: Information disseminated and project coordination mechanism established Project launch and inception meeting done 13 - member National Steering Committee established 5 - member Technical working group established Minerals Commission Chair Environmental Protection Agency WHO/ Ministry of Health/ Ghana Health Service Ghana National Association of Small-scale Miners Friends of the Nation Inter - Ministerial Committee against Illegal Mining co-opted member

9 ASGM NAP progress made 9 Output 1.2: National comprehensive analysis of ASGM sector completed to support the development and implementation of a road map to reduce mercury emissions and releases Baseline inventory of mercury use in ASGM commenced and draft report for one District shared for inputs and comments ASGM sector profile commenced and draft report shared for inputs and comments

10 10 Case study: Miner consultations including the voices and miners, civil society and mining communities in the NAP process

11 Why Carry ut Miners Consultations? An important step in developing and implementing the NAP Know about the day to day operations Improving the ASGM sector and developing sound policies

12 Objectives of Miner Consultations To identify the miner s priorities that should be considered by the NAP National Steering Committee, in order to develop a feasible and practical document that reflects the priorities of miners.

13 Why carry out Miner Consultations? Raise awareness about the impact of mercury on human health and the environment To provide education on topics relevant to the NAP such as alternative technology and health education To get feedback on the success or challenges of any existing initiatives that may be relevant to NAP development

14 Miner Consultations in Pictures Meeting with Miners in Obuasi Meeting with NGOs and the media Meeting with Miners in Asankragua Informal meetings Meeting with miners in Assin Fosu Meeting with Miners Association

15 Steps and actions to consider

16 Key outputs and outcomes Supported the launch of the National Action Plan on ASGM and Minamata Initial Assessment projects in Ghana by facilitating the participation of the civil society organisations and miners NAP and MIA Kick-offs Awareness raising Alternative technology Raised awareness on the impact of Mercury on Human Health and Environment almost 600 stakeholders and the how the Minamata Convention seeks to address this. Carried out miner consultations in four out of the nine mining Districts to learn about practical issues related to ASGM including mineral processing methods, miners perspectives on mercury use and understand their concerns towards preparing the National Action Plan on ASGM.

17 Key outputs and outcomes Priority areas for the NAP & Mercury Management Conducted consultations with the Ghana National Association of Smallscale Miners, Civil Society and the Media to identify particular areas of concerns such as formalization, access to technology to switch to mercury free and how could routinely interact and provide input to NAP. Documentation & Knowledge Management ASGM background profile report and fact sheet Miner Consultation Guide to assist governments to carry out effective engagements with miners and other stakeholders in preparing the National Action Plan on ASGM Miners consultation reports Lessons learnt report

18 Key outputs and outcomes FoN is a member of the National Steering Committee for NAP and MIA Good collaboration with Government and NGOs

19 19 Case study: Baseline mercury inventory experiences from the field

20 20 General approach

21 Methodology national level 21 National ASGM Sector Overview Literature review and consultations

22 Methodology national level day Training Classroom session Field training Trained 10 people Government (Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency) Academia (University of Mines and Technology) Miners (Ghana National Association of Small-scale miners) NGOs (ILO, FoN) Field training

23 Methodology national level 23 Selection of Mining Districts Criteria Type of ores Miner population Mining & processing methods Mercury use and trade Geographic location

24 Methodology national level 24 Use existing information for each district coupled with field data as needed Produce averages to allow extrapolation Sum district averages to produce national estimate

25 Data collection in Tarkwa 25 Tarkwa Prestea 9 sub-districts 15 block out areas for small-scale mining Selected the mining sites (licensed ones only) together with the District Officer of the Minerals Commission, We needed some unlicensed sites, Collected some data on production levels and number of miners and Developed our work plan and went to the field Tarkwa Mpohor

26 Data collection in Tarkwa 26 Data from miners Physical measurement

27 27 Data collection in Tarkwa

28 Tips for the field 28 Knowledgeable in the ASGM sector Good communication skills Ability to engage with miners & stakeholders Work the relevant stakeholders Government ( mining, environment, trade, health) Academia NGOs Adaptability 1 poho of mercury = 40g 1 blade of gold = 0.8g 1 match of gold = 0.16g Breaking day = Loko boy = male carrier from underground mine Chileser = male miner who digs the ore in an underground mine Physical measurement Accurate Data collection Accurate Data analysis

29 Challenges 29 Ban on Small scale mining operations ( legal & illegal) since May 2017 Miners are unwilling to provide information Most miners have vacated their operations

30 Feedback from stakeholder consultations 30 Awareness level on the social and environmental impact Low Mercury reduction and mercury-free technology in ASGM Direct smelting Glass retort Shaking table Gaps Database Imports inventory sources Trade and supply

31 Emerging priorities Mercury Vrs Alternatives Mercury reduction and mercuryfree technology Best ways of training - government programs, private sector initiatives, other? What are the barriers for miners to change practices?

32 Emerging priorities Formalisation What are biggest issues around formalization of the sector? What are some specific steps that the government can take to formalize the sector? What can the government do to encourage miners to become legal? Environment and health What do miners think about the health effects of mercury? have the observed effects in their own communities? Are there existing concerns about health? How can miners collaborate with each other & other stakeholders on awareness creation on environmental and health effects of mercury?

33 Next steps 33 Awareness raising on the impact of mercury on human health and the environment Use Hand held mercury detection devices to assess the mercury levels of miners Mercury free technology Design and train miners on Tailored mercury-free work flow

34 34 Acknowledgement