On Friday, July 11, 2025, the regional conference Golden Solutions: Towards a Shared Vision for Mercury-Free Gold Mining in the Guianas took place in the Royal Ballroom of Hotel Torarica in Paramaribo, Suriname.
The conference was organized within the framework of two initiatives: the Mercury Phase-Out in the Guianas project, led by WWF-Guianas, funded by the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM), and supported by the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD); and the EMSAGS project (Improving Environmental Management in the Mining Sector of Suriname, with Emphasis on Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining), implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the National Environmental Authority of Suriname.
In her remarks, Ms. Preciosa Simons, Director of Mining at the Ministry of Natural Resources, emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in addressing mining-related challenges: “Mining knows no borders. A greenstone belt runs through all three Guianas.”
Sandra Bihari, Project Coordinator of the EMSAGS project, added: “This conference offers a valuable platform to exchange experiences and explore joint approaches.”
Ms. Aiesha Williams, Conservation Director at WWF-Guianas, highlighted the progress made through the Mercury Phase-Out in the Guianas project over recent years: “With support from FFEM, we’ve worked closely with partners in Suriname and Guyana to test mercury-free technologies and adapt equipment familiar to miners. Some of these approaches have shown great promise, while others helped us understand what might not be feasible in certain contexts.”
Eondrene Thompson, General Manager of the Guyana Gold Board, underscored the environmental and cultural risks posed by mercury use: “Its use threatens our natural heritage. Your presence here demonstrates a shared commitment to the goals of the Minamata Convention.”
French Ambassador Nicolas de Lacoste drew a striking parallel between the 30-year journey to address the harmful impacts of diesel vehicle emissions in Europe and the ongoing efforts to eliminate mercury use in gold mining in the Guianas. He noted that health effects are often observed far from mining sites, further underscoring the urgency of action.
Both the EMSAGS and WWF projects contribute to the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which aims to protect human health and the environment from mercury’s adverse effects. Their shared approach is to promote sustainable, environmentally sound gold mining practices.
The conference had three core objectives:
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Assessing the Human and Environmental Impacts of ASGM: Analyze the artisanal and small- to medium-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector in the Guianas, including current practices, impacts on health and the environment, chemical use (notably mercury), applicable legislation, mining technologies, and control mechanisms.
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Promoting Environmentally Responsible Technologies: Introduce and assess mining technologies that reduce environmental and health risks, including mercury-free methods, while supporting forest conservation, protection of freshwater sources, and lowering the mining footprint.
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Strengthening Regional Oversight Mechanisms: Reinforce regional cooperation in monitoring and enforcement, with the aim of tackling illegal mining, reducing environmental degradation, regulating mercury trade, and fostering sustainable development.
By bringing together environmental and mining experts, representatives of miners' organizations, government officials, and NGO staff from Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana, the conference provided a vital platform for dialogue. Presentations focused on the above themes, while also allowing space for participants to share lessons learned and identify opportunities for collective action.
