Sixteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

Mercer University, through its international service-learning program (Mercer On Mission), has been engaged in multi-sectoral development initiatives in three South American countries: Ecuador, Peru, and Guyana, since 2014. Our work has focused on the needs of small-scale artisanal gold mining (ASGM) communities. The key issue in ASGM communities throughout South America is mercury pollution, stemming from its use in gold processing. Our team of faculty and students, in collaboration with local and national governmental agencies including the US EPA, have designed a Mercury Capture System that recaptures 99.6% of the mercury used in gold processing. This is a game-changing technological advance that assists Minimata-compliant countries in their efforts to address this leading cause of mercury pollution in the world. But instead of targeting this single issue, we recognized that ASGM communities face an array of challenges that beg for a holistic response. Through our Centers of Strength model, Mercer On Mission teams provide an integrated, multi-disciplinary response to the highest priority needs identified by the community. In Zaruma, Ecuador, the concern was for economic diversification. So, we built a coffee industry literally from the ground up that now annually exports 40,000 pounds of coffee to US markets. In Laberinto, Peru, the need was for improved public schools. Our education team collaborated with the local school to provide ongoing professional development for their faculty. In Bartica, Guyana, we worked with local health officials to conduct public health assessments in preparation for our deployment of a Telemedicine system next year.