Listening to miners, raising awareness on mercury risks, and supporting a shift to safer, responsible practices is how sustainable change takes root. #MakeMercuryHistory UN Environment Programme Global Environment Facility (GEF) planetGOLD Programme

1/2 This #WorldEnvironmentDay2025, 🌍we stand #ForPeopleForNature 🌿by working with artisanal & small-scale gold miners to make mercury history in artisanal gold mining. Globally, artisanal gold mining is the largest source of mercury pollution. #MakeMercuryHistory

1/2⏰ The clock is ticking! Mercury use is banned in Uganda, & and must be phased out by 2030. On UBC UGANDA, @planetGOLD Uganda is helping artisanal & small-scale gold miners transition to mercury-free methods and form cooperatives to formalise. Watch 👉youtube.com/watch?v=Cy-eM-…

1/2 We were pleased to host a delegation from Kenya’s Ministry of Cooperatives at Kayonza Mine Site, Kassanda District recently to engage with the Kitumbi Kayonza Women Gold Miners Cooperative Society. Read More 👉planetgold.org/strengthening-…

We’re inspired by the women artisanal gold miners of Kitumbi Kayonza Mine Site! With support from @planetGOLDUg, what they started as a gold savings group grew into a thriving cooperative society. Watch their story 👇 #InternationalDayofCooperatives #ASGM planetGOLD Programme

1/3 Our team in collaboration with officials from Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development have been busy the last few weeks conducting a gender impact assessment in the project sites across the country. The goal? ✅ Understand gender roles in mining ✅ Explore how men & women access mercury-free technology.

What is it like at Tiira Mine Site in Busia? The planetGOLD Uganda team recently visited the site to engage with artisanal and small-scale gold miners and assess how far the switch to mercury-free gold processing has come. The results? Impressive. 1/3 🧵 #MakeMercuryHistory

At Tiira, small-scale gold miners work in tough conditions; crushing, & panning ore, often using mercury to recover gold. But change is happening. Thanks to training & knowledge on alternatives, more miners are abandoning mercury for safer, cleaner methods of gold recovery. 2/3

Through cooperatives, miners in Tiira are building a future where gold doesn't come at the cost of health or the environment. planetGOLD Uganda is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) led by the UN Environment Programme executed by IMPACT in partnership with National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) & Ministry of Energy & Mineral Development under Mineral Development Program 3/3

Why does mercury-free gold matter especially in Uganda’s artisanal & small-scale gold mining sector (ASGM)? Because miners shouldn’t have to risk their health, their children’s future, or their environment just to make a living. Here’s why we keep pushing. 1/2 #MakeMercuryHistory

Mercury is a toxic chemical. 👉It damages the body organs, affects unborn children & pollutes the environment. planetGOLD Uganda is working with miners to switch to safer, mercury-free alternatives. With awareness and the right tools, ASGM can be safe, profitable, & sustainable.

Women’s associations in Uganda’s artisanal mining sector are driving change—expanding ownership, raising incomes, and improving safety. Through cooperatives, they’re challenging norms, and proving that when women organize, communities thrive. bit.ly/4jv00EW

For the past 2.5 years, the planetGOLD Uganda project has worked in 11 artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities across 7 districts raising awareness on the dangers of mercury use in gold processing. The goal: a safer, mercury-free future for ASGM. A🧵 #MakeMercuryHistory

This wouldn't be possible without strong collaborations with, Ministry of Energy & Mineral Development National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Ministry of Trade Ug & the miners themselves. The project is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) led by the UN Environment Programme executed by IMPACT in partnership with National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) & Ministry of Energy & Mineral Development's under Mineral Development Program

We are in the field with partners from the Dept. of Mines & National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) engaging miners in Rupa, Karamoja on mercury-free alternatives. Such conversations are key to changing mindsets & proving a mercury-free ASGM future is possible. #MakeMercuryHistory UN Environment Programme Global Environment Facility (GEF) IMPACT

🧵 What is Mercury-free gold? Swizen, planetGOLD technical consultant, answers this: “It is gold extracted without using mercury, a toxic substance widely used in artisanal & small-scale gold mining in Uganda." Here’s why it matters & the alternatives: #MakeMercuryHistory

The planetGOLD Uganda project that is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) led by the UN Environment Programme executed by IMPACT in partnership with National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Ministry of Energy & Mineral Development under the Department of Mines. #MakeMercuryHistory

📍The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region is convening, from 21–22 August 2025 in Entebbe, the Regional Experts on the ASM Formalisation and Gender in mining to review the revised ASM Regional Guide. The experts will ensure that the new guide reflects new

In her opening remarks, Eng. Irene Pauline Bateebe, Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Energy & Mineral Development, warmly welcomed all participants to Entebbe. She underscored the workshop’s importance in empowering ASM communities through legal recognition, access to funding opportunities, and technical

#GenderInclusivity in all sectors is possible.