Golden Myths webinar series

Digging for the truth about ASM gold

There are 25 million people around the world working as artisanal and small-scale gold miners, and their work accounts for about 15% of the global supply (Metals Focus 2019). This represents a trade value of roughly 25 billion dollars and the investment potential is huge. 

Yet, the sector suffers from a dubious reputation among micro-credit financiers, impact investors and the private sector worldwide. Why? And how can we be part of creating fairer, safer and healthier livelihoods for millions of gold miners? 

Hear from the experts

In discussion with experts, you can gain a deeper understanding of a wide range of issues relevant to you, no matter where you find yourself along the value chain: gold refiner, trader, jewellery brand, electronic brand, impact investor or donor. 

We invite you to join the whole series of webinars to gain a comprehensive overview of the most pressing issues facing the artisanal and small-scale gold supply chain today, or just dip in and out for the subjects most relevant to your interests. 

This webinar series is designed and facilitated by Solidaridad and The Impact Facility.

Golden Myths webinar #1: Fact vs. Fiction

Kirsten Hund (World Bank), Carla Neefs (Solidaridad) and David Sturmes (The Impact Facility) kicked off the webinar series on 22 April 2020.

Golden Myths webinar #2: ASM & national economies in Africa

In our second webinar, we discussed the benefits of ASM gold mining to national economies in Africa with Yaw Britwum Opoku (Solidaridad West Africa) and Bwesigye Don Binyina (Africa Centre for Energy and Mineral Policy) in Uganda. David Sturmes (The Impact Facility) facilitated the discussion.

Golden Myths webinar #3: mercury in ASM gold processing

In our third webinar, we dived into the topic of mercury use in ASM gold processing, with the experts Barbara Hendus (IUCN National Committee of the Netherlands), Susan Keane (Natural Resources Defence Council), and Cyrus Njonde Maina (The Impact Facility). David Sturmes (The Impact Facility) facilitated the discussion.

Golden Myths webinar #4: Gender & ASM gold

In this fourth webinar, we looked at the empowerment of women in ASM gold. Our webinar speakers: Marlijn Lelieveld (Simavi), Elizabeth Echavarria (Solidaridad Colombia), and Katrine Danielsen (KIT). Rebecca Kaduru (Solidaridad North America) facilitated the discussion.

Golden Myths webinar #5: ASM gold and access to finance

In our fifth webinar, we discussed how investment into artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASM) can be realized effectively, drawing on our experience on the ground throughout East Africa and reflecting on leading papers on the issue. We dived into this topic with a variety of experts from the field of ASM and impact investment: Susan Egan Keane (International Program Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)), Winifrida Kanwa (Solidaridad), Ebenezer Arthur (Wangara Green Ventures), Louis Marechal (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)), David Sturmes (The Impact Facility). The webinar was moderated by Laura Gerritsen (Solidaridad).