NEWS

22.11.11
ICMM welcomes progress towards a global mercury convention

ICMM's John Atherton and Benjamin Davies joined representatives from 120 countries at UNEP's headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, for negotiations towards a global treaty on mercury (INC3). The treaty will touch on issues such as the trade in by-product mercury, emissions from operations, emissions from coal power generation and the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale mining.

During the session, good progress was made on the approach towards artisanal and small-scale gold mining, including a call for voluntary approaches at the national level and partnerships with relevant stakeholders. ICMM welcomes this agreement as well as the recognition that progress in this area must be based on an understanding of the underlying social and political drivers.

In addition, new text was developed on articles related to storage, wastes and contaminated sites, on raising awareness, research and monitoring, and on communication of information. Negotiations will continue and there will be intercessional work on language before a fourth meeting takes place in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from 25 to 29 June 2012.

INC3 was the third of five meetings convened before the twenty-seventh session of the United Nations Environment Programme Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (UNEP GC/GMEF) in 2013 where negotiations will come to an end.

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Implement risk management strategies based on valid data and sound science.

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Facilitate and encourage responsible product design, use, re-use, recycling and disposal of our products.

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