The Sustainable Artisanal Mining Projects fits under the strategic objective of the Swiss Cooperation Strategy 2007-2012 (SCS) to contribute to improved and securer livelihoods of herders and ex-herders in rural areas focusing on improving sustainable use and rehabilitation of natural resources and supporting ecologically-oriented social and economic development. The Sustainable Artisanal Mining Project will contribute to the development of responsible mining in Mongolia by working with all stakeholders to ensure that artisanal miners are recognized as responsible members of a key economic sub-sector contributing to sustainable rural development.

To reach the stated development goal the Sustainable Artisanal Mining Project has the following four objectives:
-  To improve the development and implementation of a transparent and straight-forward policy and regulatory framework for artisanal mining;
-  To improve the formation and functioning of institutional structures and organizations within artisanal mining at all levels;
-  To strengthen the capacity of artisanal mining communities to engage in profitable and responsible mining and extended business activities aiming to reduce poverty;
-  To empower artisanal miners and other resource users to address and solve ecological as well as social existing and potential conflicts responsibly;

Project sites:

Artisanal placer gold mininig sites in:

• Bumbugur soum, Bayankhongor aimag

• Jargalant soum, Bayankhongor aimag;

Artisanal hard rock gold mining sites in:

• Bornuur soum, Tov aimag

• Mandal soum, Selenge aimag