ARTISANAL GOLD MINING - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM

The Artisanal Gold Mining Environmental Impact Reduction Program is a contract awarded to Chemonics International Inc. on September 24, 2015, by the Agency for International Development through USAID Colombia. With an initial award value of 19,997,365.00 dollars, the program is centered in Medellin, Colombia, and operates under NAICS code 541620. The primary objective of the initiative is to reduce the environmental impact of gold mining, specifically focusing on the elimination of mercury usage in accordance with Colombia's Mercury-Banning Law. To ensure the successful implementation of these goals and avoid unacceptable delays, a Justification and Approval was issued for a time and cost extension. This modification sought to extend the contract end date to March 31, 2021, and increase the total estimated cost by 2,125,000 dollars. The extension was justified by the unique qualifications of Chemonics International Inc. and their established relationships within the host country, which are critical for the continued execution of the program's environmental mandates.