Nigeria Moves To Reduce Mercury In Gold Mining

The Federal Government is committed to enhancing mercury-free gold mining practices in some parts of the country due to the pressing challenge to the environment, health, and well-being of citizens.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Mr Mahmud Kambari, said this at the inauguration of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) on “ Global Environment Facility (GEF) GOLD+ NIGERIA with the theme: Enhancing the Formalisation and Mercury-free Gold in Nigeria Project’’

“The issue of mercury pollution, particularly within the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector, presents a significant and pressing challenge to our environment and the health and well-being of our citizens.

“It is noteworthy that mercury pollution from ASGM contributes approximately 37 per cent of global mercury emissions.

“The core objectives of this significant project are to substantially reduce mercury use within the ASGM sector in Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Kebbi, and to establish a robust framework for a nationwide transition towards sustainable and environmentally sound mining practices,” Kambari said.

According to him the GEF GOLD+ Nigeria Project builds upon the foundation laid by the National Adaptation Programme and holds paramount importance for the Federal Ministry of Environment and for the nation as a whole.

“The Project Steering Committee will bear the crucial responsibility of providing strategic guidance and actionable recommendations to effectively support the project’s overarching objectives.

“The GEF GOLD+ Nigeria Project is strategically designed to address this challenge comprehensively, through a multi-faceted approach encompassing the promotion of formalisation, improved access to financial resources, and the facilitation of the adoption of sustainable, mercury-free technologies within the mining sector,” he explained.

Also speaking, Mrs Bahijjahtu Abubakar, the Director, Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health in the ministry said that the ministry recognises the imperative need to mitigate the environmental and public health hazards associated with mercury.

“We are resolutely committed to fostering sustainable solutions, we have assembled a diverse and highly capable group of individuals and organisations, each, possessing unique and valuable expertise and perspectives.

Executive-Director, Basel Convention Coordinating Mercury, Prof. Gilbert Adie, said the issue of mercury use in mining must be addressed with urgency.