the proposed project falls within the GEF focal areas of Land Degradation, International Waters and POP?s; the activity of artisanal mining is done along the banks of the rivers Muera, Mucombezi, Nhadue and Nhaluiro in Macossa district of Manica province and results in contamination of the river waters with mercury and other debris harmful to wildlife and human health of surrounding settlements along river banks; These populations consume upstream river non safe drinking waters contaminated with gold processing chemicals like mercury with risks to their health and that of wildlife; this water and soil contamination has a direct effect on biodiversity (aquatic and terrestrial plants, animals and other wildlife including fish) around and within the rivers that are part of the local ecosystem. The project aims to contribute for reduced levels of mercury inhaled by artisanal miners, other people directly involved in the activity and surrounding local communities; it also aims to reduce the levels of mercury discharged to the environment and the river waters in particular, with consequent improvement to the biodiversity present in the surroundings rivers, soils, and also mitigate land degradation.