Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is practised in over 70 countries, with an estimated 14–19 million people directly involved in this activity, including about 4–5 million women and children (1, 2). It is estimated that ASGM contributes to 17–20% of global gold production. In many low- and middleincome countries, the work in the ASGM sector provides a primary or secondary income source (3). Mercury remains the most commonly used chemical to amalgamate gold in ASGM, despite its known adverse effects on human health and the environment (4). ASGM is the single largest source of global anthropogenic (that is, caused by human activity) emissions, accounting for approximately 38% of emissions