National Action Plan for Reducing Mercury Use in the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) Sector.

The National Action Plan for Reducing Mercury Use in the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) Sector (NAP) was developed in response to Article 7 of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and is designed to aid in the protection of human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury in the ASGM sector. The NAP's national goal is to reduce, and where feasible eliminate, the use of mercury and the emissions and releases of mercury to the environment from ASGM activities. This This goal is developed in response to the country’s commitment for ensuring environmentally sound management of chemicals in general and specifically mercury, as well as an overall commitment to sustainable development. To achieve effective and efficient ways to implement the NAP’s priorities, four broad objectives have been set. These are legal framework and institutional strengthening, resource assessment, promotion, awareness raising and communication, and ensuring public health and safety related to the ASGM activities.