Abstract

Mercury contamination from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) currently accounts for 37% of the global total, often affecting tropical regions where regulations, if they exist, are often poorly enforced. Ingestion by people and other animals damages the nervous, reproductive, and cognitive systems. Despite the efforts of many organizations and governments to curb mercury releases from ASGM, it is increasing globally. There are many possible interventions, all with significant complexity and cost. Therefore, we recommend taking an established systematic approach to articulate the current situation and construct theories of change (ToC) for different possible interventions for any government or organization trying to solve this problem. Here we present a high-level situation analysis and generic ToC to support a more coordinated approach that explicitly builds upon previous experience to identify organization- and situation-appropriate engagement on this issue. We then illustrate the use of these generic models to construct a specific ToC with a policy-focused entry point. This includes interventions through (1) engagement with the global Minamata Convention on Mercury; (2) support for existing national laws and policies connected to ASGM and mercury contamination; and (3) engagement of indigenous people and local communities with governments to meet the governments’ legal obligations. By methodically articulating assumptions about interventions, connections among actions, and desired outcomes, it is possible to create a more effective approach that will encourage more coordination and cooperation among governments and other practitioners to maximize their investments and support broad environmental and socio-political outcomes necessary to address this pernicious problem.

中文翻译：

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减少手工和小规模采金业 (ASGM) 汞污染的全球挑战：使用通用变革理论评估解决方案

摘要

手工和小规模采金 (ASGM) 造成的汞污染目前占全球总量的 37%，经常影响热带地区，这些地区的法规（如果有的话）往往执行不力。人和其他动物摄入会损害神经、生殖和认知系统。尽管许多组织和政府努力遏制手工和小规模采金中的汞排放，但全球汞排放仍在增加。有许多可能的干预措施，但都具有相当的复杂性和成本。因此，我们建议采取既定的系统方法来阐明当前情况，并为任何试图解决此问题的政府或组织构建不同可能的干预措施的变革理论（ToC）。在这里，我们提出了一个高层次的情况分析和通用目录，以支持更加协调的方法，该方法明确地建立在以前的经验的基础上，以确定适合组织和情况的对此问题的参与。然后，我们说明如何使用这些通用模型来构建具有以策略为中心的切入点的特定 ToC。这包括通过以下方式进行干预：(1) 参与全球水俣公约；(2) 支持与手工和小规模采金和汞污染有关的现行国家法律和政策；(3) 土著人民和当地社区与政府接触，以履行政府的法律义务。通过有条不紊地阐明有关干预措施、行动之间的联系和期望结果的假设，可以创建一种更有效的方法，鼓励政府和其他从业者之间加强协调与合作，以最大限度地提高投资并支持必要的广泛环境和社会政治成果来解决这个恶性问题。