A Poisonous Mix - Human Rights Watch

VI. A Poor Health Policy Response .................................................................................... 60
A Weak Health System ........................................................................................................... 60
Health Access Barriers for Children in Mining Areas ................................................................. 61
Government Neglect of Mercury Related Health Conditions .................................................... 62
Efforts to Reduce Exposure to Mercury ................................................................................... 62
Towards an International Mercury Reduction Treaty ................................................................. 63
VII. “I Have Never Been to School” – Access to Education for Child Laborers in Mines ....... 64
Difficult Access to Education in Artisanal Mining Areas........................................................... 64
Education Policies: Failing to Reach Child Laborers ................................................................ 68
Social Protection Measures to Improve Access to Education .................................................... 70
VIII. The Gold Traders’ Responsibility ............................................................................... 72
The Responsibility of Gold Traders in Mali ............................................................................... 72
The Role of Artisanal Miners’ Associations .............................................................................. 74
The Responsibility of International Gold Trading Companies ................................................... 75
Government Mining Policies: Failure to Regulate Artisanal Mining ........................................... 77
Regional and International Initiatives towards Mining Businesses ........................................... 79
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 82
Recommendations ............................................................................................................ 85
To the Government of Mali ...................................................................................................... 85
To the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ............................................... 89
To Donor Countries and the World Bank, and Relevant UN Agencies, such as ILO, UNICEF, UNIDO,
UNEP, and WHO ..................................................................................................................... 89
To Malian and International Companies Trading in Artisanal Gold .......................................... 90
To Malian Associations of Artisanal Gold Miners ..................................................................... 91
To All Governments ................................................................................................................. 91
Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... 92
Annex I ............................................................................................................................. 93
Annex II ............................................................................................................................ 97
Annex III .......................................................................................................................... 101
Annex IV ..........................................................................................................................104
Annex V .......................................................................................................................... 106