Papua New Guinea ASGM Mercury reduction

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin and major public health hazard with the largest source of emissions of mercury is the ASGM sector. Papua New Guinea (PNG) is finishing its GEF-funded Minamata Initial Assessment. This project will support PNG in preparing for obligations it will take on for its ASGM sector once it joins the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Specifically, information obtained through this project will be instrumental in PNG's development of its National Action Plan for ASGM, which is required under the Minamata Convention. This project would inventory the indigenous ASGM sector in PNG to determine how much mercury and what kinds of processing techniques are being used, as well as associated demographic data -- information PNG will need for its development of an ASGM National Action Plan as required under the Minamata Convention on Mercury.