en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) of Brazil submitted the preliminary version of the National Action Plan for Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (PAN MAPE) to the first extraordinary meeting of the Working Group (GT) on the Minamata Convention on Mercury, established under the framework of the National Commission on Chemical Safety (CONASQ). This document outlines the strategies, actions, and goals for Brazil to fulfill its related commitments.
The plan is a strategic component of the MME's efforts to expand the participation of representatives from the government, civil society, and other relevant institutions in the formulation of the program. The Working Group serves as a coordination platform among the parties implementing the Minamata Convention on Mercury in Brazil, with responsibilities including monitoring actions related to artisanal and small-scale gold mining (primarily represented by gold panning in Brazil).
Director of the Department for Sustainable Mining Development, Julevânia Olegário, presented the preliminary version of PAN MAPE on behalf of the MME. This version aims to develop actions and guidelines to eliminate the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Brazil within the shortest possible timeframe, promoting safer and more sustainable mining practices. According to her, the plan balances the socioeconomic importance of legal gold panning while implementing measures to reduce environmental impacts and health risks for affected populations.
"The MME's role is to implement public policies that provide viable alternatives for carrying out this activity in a responsible, environmentally sustainable, and socially equitable manner. PAN MAPE represents a significant step forward in this process, reinforcing Brazil's commitment to eliminating the use of mercury in gold mining," emphasized the director. The next step involves opening the document for public consultation, expanding the participation of civil society, the production sector, academia, and other stakeholders in defining the actions that will constitute the final version of the plan. This initiative reinforces the MME's commitment to the sustainable development of mining activities, aligning gold production with best environmental practices and international standards for protecting health and the environment.
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