Research Background

Mercury (Hg) is an extremely toxic metal and a particular threat to human embryonic and early-childhood development. Recent investigation by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has highlighted the enormity of Hg pollution in developing countries. ASGM produces 15-20% of the global gold market and is responsible for 37% of global Hg emissions, as mercury amalgamation is a cost-effective and widely used method to extract gold from ore. Around 15 million people, including 4-5 million women and children, participate in ASGM activities in more than 70 countries. Even though the Minamata Convention was established to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of Hg, ASGM activities are oft en associated with poverty and cannot be solved by ratifi cation of international treaties or NGO activities alone.

Research Objects

The objectives of our project are to: 1) understand the link between poverty reduction and environmental management in ASGM areas; 2) establish a process for constructing sustainable societies through regional innovations in ASGM areas; and 3) strengthen environmental governance in ASEAN countries.

Methodology and research process

Figure 1 Structure of SRIREP project

Figure 2 Structure and schedule of the case studies in Gorontalo, Indonesia.

We have been conducting transdisciplinary research and practice in collaboration with mining communities, key stakeholders (SHs) of public and private organizations, and researchers of local universities, etc. (Figure 1). This work emphasizes:

• a)

Case studies on reduction of Hg pollution using a future scenario of ASGM in Indonesia and Myanmar. Case studies include: 1) studies of living conditions, culture and history; 2) environmental and health impact assessments, and socioeconomic assessment; 3) co-creation of future scenarios with key stakeholders; 4) identification of transformative boundary objects (TBOs); 5) organization of transdisciplinary communities of practice (TDCOPs) using TBOs; 6) co-design and co-production of transformative learning and practice; 7) social implementation research; and 8) evaluation of the progress of regional innovation (Figure 2).

• b)

Study of interregional networks that aim to generate Hg-free societies in Indonesia and Myanmar

• c)

Study of improvements in environmental governance to address Hg pollution in ASEAN countries.

• d)

Theoretical and practical studies of the design, practical use, and evaluation of TBOs and TDCOPs in study areas.

Expected goals of the project

Regional innovation will arise as a consequence of environmental and industrial innovations introduced with a transdisciplinary approach, including the development of a future scenario for a Hg-free society, transformative learning and practice, and developments of TDCOPs. By strengthening environmental governance, which consists of multiple layers of co-operative organizations, we will also develop a route through which the problem of global environmental Hg pollution can be resolved.

Progress and Achievements

Figure 3 Availability and progress of TDCOPs established in the case study of Gorontalo, Indonesia.

• a)

Case studies have been completed in Gorontalo, West Java, Southeast Sulawesi, and Lampung in Indonesia in collaboration with Gorontalo State University, Lampung University, and Mandalay Region in Myanmar in collaboration with the Environmental Conservation Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC) and a local NGO. In Gorontalo, in August 2019 and February 2020 we examined social-economic conditions in the ASGM areas and rural livelihoods of fishermen and farmers in non-ASGM areas. We found that poverty is a major issue in both areas. We organized four TDCOPs: “KTK (Kampung Tangguh Kesehatan; Healthy village)”, “Karawo Research Group”, “Natural Fiber Research Group”, and “Geo Cafe Gorontalo” to conduct co-design and co-production of transformative learning and practice according to the future scenarios (Figure 3).
　In Thabeikkyin Township, Mandalay Region,　preliminary environmental and health impact assessments were conducted in ASGM areas in February　2020 (Photo 1). ASGM miners with a longer duration of mining activity demonstrated decreased lung capacity.　Remote medical examination of the mining community has been established since December 2020.



Photo 1 Health impact assessment of ASGM miners in Mandalay Region, Myanmar in February 2020; assessment of the lung capacity in ASGM miners using a portable spirometry



Figure 4 Flyer of the 4th Japan - ASEAN Medical Seminar on the Human Health Impact of Heavy Metals

• b)

In the study on interregional networks, we held the 1st and 2^nd Japan - ASEAN medical seminars in Indonesia, in 2019 and then we also held the 3^rd and 4^th medical seminars (webinars) in October 2020 and January 2021. In total, these seminars included 600 attendees from both Indonesia and Myanmar, and were conducted in collaboration with private and public organizations, and the Japan Association for the United Nations Environmental Programme (JAU) (Figure 4. Flyer of the 4^th medical seminar held in January 2021).

• c)

In the study on improvements in environmental governance in ASEAN countries, the UNEP Global Environment Information Exhibition and the 2^nd TRPNEP (ASEAN-Japan Meeting Point of Collaboration by Stakeholders and Researchers for Reducing Environmental Problems in ASEAN Countries) were held in Myanmar in December 2019.

• d)

Reflecting on our research processes to date, our theoretical analyses indicate that environmental problems require a comprehensive problem-solving approach that includes the creation of new knowledge through the integration of local and scientific knowledge. We note that enthusiastic participants in the TDCOPs can become catalysts for initiating dialogue among stakeholders. Finally, we find that well-designed TDCOP activities can stimulate stakeholders to practice interactive and transformative learning.