Problem Definition
An analysis of the OP6 landscape (Black Volta Basin) revealed notable and significant exposure of mercury to the Artisanal and small scale gold mining (ASSGM) and the environment as a result of the small scale mining activities. Most of the drinking water sources (boreholes) had mercury levels exceeding the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for mercury in drinking water. Some evidence of mercury pollution was also seen on surface water sources. Urine samples of artisanal gold miners revealed high mercury content as compare to residents who do not have direct contact with mercury. The mercury level recorded in miners was characteristic of the number of years of engaging in mining and the type of activity engaged in and the regularity of the activity. For example, urine sample of refiners were found to show very high levels of mercury (Hg). There was high bio-accumulations of mercury as follows:
? Underground and surface water (0.014mg/L and 0.004mg/L respectively).
? Soil (2.02 mg/kg)
? Tailings (13.3 mg/Kg)
? Human urine level Hg of 0.15mg/L
? Plant leaves and back (P. Vittata) = 0.723mg/Kg
Results from the profiling of the miners showed that artisanal miners within the project area were predominantly males with the dominant age group in the range of 25-29 years. Also, it was discovered that most of the miners come from other parts of Ghana while a substantial number of them migrate form Burkina Faso, Guinea, Togo and Cote d?Ivoire. In terms of the income levels of miners, most of them had higher income levels with very few of them within the low-income bracket.

From the baseline assessment, it was evident that:
? artisanal miners in the project area extensively use mercury in the amalgamation and processing of gold;
? the amount of mercury used in the amalgamation process had nothing to do with the suspected gold content of the mineral material. This means in most cases, the amount of mercury used could have been far less than that used. The small scale miners use their bare hands in the washing and amalgamation of gold using mercury. No nose masks are used of hand gloves to serve as protective clothes;
? the miners do not have adequate knowledge on the health implications of extreme exposure to mercury;
? direct firing was employed during the refining/ separation of gold from mercury;
? refiners recorded high levels of mercury in urine indicating the most exposed or high risk class in the ?galamsey? operations;
? all the water samples (both underground and surface) taken from project area exceeded the WHO standard for drinking water;
? the policies on the management and use of mercury appear not known by the SSM.
? Plants however show very less mercury loads.

Project Objectives
? To build capacities of artisanal miners and in improved gold refining technologies to reduce and finally eliminate the use of mercury in gold processing;
? To support the establishment of social enterprise as alternative livelihoods.

Key Activities
? Conduct community education and awareness creation on the harmful effects of mercury on human life and the environment.
? Organize the artisanal miners into groups of 30 membership with leaders and trained them in group dynamics, conflict resolutions; health and safety principles to guide their operations, and village saving techniques.
? Conduct health screening for the miners and other members of the community on the presence of mercury in their bodies (testing of urine)
? Train the organized miners in alternative technology in gold extraction without the use of mercury including falcon concentration by using sluices, shaking tables, centrifuges (Falcon concentrators); - reducing Hg loss through spillages during amalgamation, amalgam tailings disposal, further processing of sponge gold; improving processing/ refining methods such as avoiding open air burning of amalgam, use of fume hoods and retorts.
? Support interest miners to invest in processing plastic waste into diesel, petrol and grease on commercial basis.
? Established an effective system of monitoring the activities of the small scale miners by the group leaders and the traditional authorities on the use of mercury.

Expected outputs
a) Baseline data on the levels of mercury in soil, surface waters, groundwater, plants, air and humans documented to form the basis for monitoring mercury usage within the Black Volta Basin.
b) Alternative technologies to gold processing and amalgamation introduced to artisanal miners within the project areas to significantly reduced the release of mercury into the mining environment.
c) Recycling, and recovery of plastic waste into diesel, petrol and grease established as alternative business enterprise for the miners.