Public Mining Governance for Sustainable Artisanal Gold Mining: Preventing Mercury Pollution in South America

Jacopo Seccatore, Tatiane Marin (), Jorge Tarra-Almario and Oscar J. Restrepo-Baena
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Jacopo Seccatore: Department of Metallurgical and Mining Engineering, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta 1270398, Chile
Tatiane Marin: Departamento de Ingeniería de Minas, Metalurgia y Materiales, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Santiago 8940897, Chile
Jorge Tarra-Almario: Department of Materials and Minerals, School of Mines, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín 050013, Colombia
Oscar J. Restrepo-Baena: Department of Materials and Minerals, School of Mines, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín 050013, Colombia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-19

Abstract: Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) constitutes an essential livelihood strategy for marginalized communities, yet it is also associated with severe environmental and social challenges. Persistent inequality and poverty underpin miners’ dependence on informal practices, where access to safer technologies is limited. Mercury use remains critical in ASGM, often mismanaged in processing, applied in amalgamation, and released into air, water, and soils. An estimated 1000–2000 tonnes are emitted annually despite Minamata Convention commitments. This paper examines how mining governance can foster sustainable transitions in ASGM, focusing on the Chilean National Mining Company (ENAMI) as a case study. ENAMI’s model—combining regulatory oversight, institutional support, and inclusive decision-making—shows how public governance can reduce mercury reliance, mitigate environmental degradation, and enhance social inclusion. Findings highlight the importance of regulation, community participation, capacity-building, and addressing structural inequalities as integral components of sustainability. The study argues that sustainable ASGM requires not only technical innovation but also culturally sensitive institutional reforms capable of overcoming resistance and promoting long-term behavioral change. By situating ASGM within the broader framework of sustainable rural development, this research provides insights for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars seeking to reconcile economic inclusion with environmental stewardship in vulnerable contexts.

Keywords: artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM); mercury pollution; public mining governance; environmental sustainability; regulatory frameworks; environmental governance; community development; policy instruments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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