Countries in the region face difficulties in controlling the importation and use of mercury in small-scale mining activities. This problem is present both in artisanal mining, where special permits are granted by the state authority, and in illegal mining, where no concessions or permits were granted. DTOC has identified the extensive and uncontrolled use of mercury in illegal exploitation fields as an indicator of parallel criminal activity and a wide gap in control of the market for illegal supplies. in those states.

From this perspective, greater coordination is necessary in actions to combat transnational organized crime groups located in areas of illegal mineral exploitation. Although some countries in the region have robust mechanisms to deprive criminal organizations of their illicit assets (such as Asset Forfeiture legislation), some of the processes of identification, location, confiscation and disposition of assets seized in illegal mining investigations need review and updating. The fact that the majority of OAS member states are signatories to the Minamata Convention on Mercury shows political will and predisposition to update their prevention and control mechanisms to comply with international standards for the storage and use of mercury.


For this reason, DTOC, the Artisanal Gold Council (AGC), and the Office of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) of the United States Department of State (DoS) developed this project to foster greater international cooperation between OAS member states to better understand and improve their regulatory systems for the use of mercury in gold extraction.

Objectives
  • Promote the implementation of the Minamata Convention by member states.
  • Understand the mechanisms in place to control the importation, storage, use and disposal of mercury for gold mining.
  • Foster cooperation among member states to investigate and prosecute the illegal trade and smuggling of mercury.
  • Assist member states in developing their action plans for mercury reduction.
  • Increase the capacity of officers from customs, law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities to identify, seize and sanction the illicit transportation and use of mercury.
Activities
  • Webinar: Hemispheric dialogue on the problem of the illicit importation of mercury for gold mining in the Americas: assessing the current situation in OAS’s Member States.
  • Regional workshops on irregular trade and storage of mercury for illegal mining: current risks and trends.
  • Sub-regional and bi-national virtual meetings on trafficking of mercury for illegal gold mining.
  • Webinar: Hemispheric dialogue on implementation of the Minamata Convention by OAS member states.
Beneficiary Countries
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda
Bolivia
Bolivia
Brazil
Brazil
Colombia
Colombia
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Ecuador
Guyana
Guyana
Jamaica
Jamaica
Mexico
Mexico
Panama
Panama
Peru
Peru
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia
Suriname
Suriname
The Bahamas
The Bahamas
Team
Gastón Schulmeister
Director
John Grajales
Technical specialist
Karoline Moraes
Program officer
Mónica Espinoza
Projects officer
Strategic Partners