The government has appointed two teams that are to help organise and transform the artisanal gold sector. The approach focuses, among other things, on the use of mercury, environmental pollution and increasing state revenue from the sector. The teams must also support preparations for a national gold authority.
The appointment took place on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Kabinet van de President. The sixteen members of the Beleids- en Managementteam Transformatie Artisanale Goudwinning (Policy and Management Team for the Transformation of Artisanal Gold Mining) received their resolution. Both teams were established effective September 1, 2026, for a period of four years.
The eleven-member Beleidsteam is led by Egmond Letterboom, representative of the Kabinet van de President. This team is to advise the president, both solicited and unsolicited, on the artisanal gold sector. In addition, it will evaluate existing laws and regulations and propose amendments where necessary.
According to Letterboom, change is necessary because of the problems in the interior. “We are all familiar with the major challenges we face and with the situation in our interior. I think we all agree that this will have to change.”
The Beleidsteam is also preparing the legal and policy steps needed to establish a national gold authority. To this end, bottlenecks, shortcomings and inconsistencies in the current regulations will be identified.
The management team consists of five members and is chaired by Benjamin Hoever. This team is responsible for the operational implementation of the policy frameworks and guidelines of the Beleidsteam.
Letterboom cites the use of mercury and environmental pollution as urgent points of attention. The sector must also generate more revenue for the State. “One of the issues is, of course, the use of mercury. We also see pollution of our environment. And naturally, it is important that the state derives more revenue from this sector.”
The teams will familiarise themselves on site with the gold-mining activities in the coming period. According to Letterboom, these visits should provide a better picture of the situation and serve as a basis for new policy objectives.
