In Quibdo, in the Pacific region of Colombia, informal extraction of gold using mercury, and the chemical processes carried out in the associated jewellery industry, create serious environmental and health risks. UNEP contracted IRMA to produce a case study highlighting the risks of the current practices and potential risk reduction measures that could be applied locally and in other similar contexts. As the methodology used – APELL (Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level) – had not been used previously in Colombia, this case study provides UNEP with opportunities to raise awareness about environmental risks and risk reduction in many other informal or small-scale industries.
IRMA’s team for this study was Marilise Turnbull and Guillermo Toro
