Effective policy decisions require accurate and timely data.
In Suriname, the extraction of gold via artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a key driver of deforestation in the country. However, it has been difficult to fully monitor and characterize ASGM and its impact on the environment due to the lack of quality data and the remoteness of some of the affected regions.
Since 2022, the Global Partnership has been working with the Government of Suriname, along with local and international partners, on a project to monitor ASGM using Earth Observations (EO), to produce better and more reliable data for policymakers. While the gold sector is an important part of Suriname’s economy, the Government is eager to develop new policies to better regulate this sector, to reduce the impact on biodiversity of ecosystems, and support the health and wellbeing of communities.
Thanks to the support of the Islamic Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and Assimila, we have produced:
A technical report, documenting the approach we have used for the collection and analysis of EO data on ASGM in Suriname.
A policy report, offering recommendations for policymakers and highlighting the importance of high-quality data for informed decision-making and environmental protection. This project has offered new data and insight on the detrimental impacts of gold mining on forests and water quality, which will help to guide future policies.
Key findings
By empowering local experts with Earth Observation skills, our pilot project showcases the power of partnerships and timely data in addressing environmental challenges.
For a delimited area of 674 kilometers that was used as a pilot exercise, the main results show:
An increase of 47 percent in ASGM activities in 2022 compared to 2019.
A total loss of 24.56 square kilometers of rainforest between 2019 and 2022.
An increase of ~40 percent in water turbidity between 2019 and 2022.
An area of 5.86 square kilometers of rainforest experienced more than a 10 percent drop in vegetation health between 2019 and 2022.
Policy recommendations
Our suggestions for new policies and next steps include:
Creating a group of institutions to foster and promote EO data analysis on ASGM and provide official reports to the government.
Widening the case studies to address different related environmental issues; for example, rolling ASGM, forest degradation, and land use change into a single study.
Creating a clear set of roles and responsibilities for monitoring ASGM.
Developing an institutional framework for ASGM monitoring.
Find out more
Download our technical report and policy report to read more about this project.