Community Health in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (CHASM)
Innovation Description
Community Health in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (CHASM) delivers scientifically rigorous, locally-driven environmental health response, safer-mining techniques, and remediation to vulnerable mining communities through partnerships with humanitarian organizations, miners, governments, and community leaders.
Team
Casey Bartrem - Moscow, ID, USA
Simba Tirima - Abuja, Nigeria / Meru, Kenya
Ian von Lindern - Moscow, ID, USA
Margrit von Braun - Moscow, ID, USA
Bryn Thoms - Eugene, OR, USA
Rebecca Witinok-Huber - Fort Collins, CO, USA
Ro Afatchao - Moscow, ID, USA / Notse, Togo
Chris S. Eckley - Seattle, WA, USA
Susan Firor - Moscow, ID, USA
Piper Christian - Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Reason for applying
“We were inspired to apply for the ASM Grand Challenge by our experience addressing the unprecedented environmental health crisis at one of the world’s most devastating ASGM sites in Zamfara, Nigeria. We have partnered with Doctors Without Borders and multiple levels of Nigerian Government to remediate 1000 homes, public areas, mining sites, and water sources, and reduced heavy metal-related childhood mortality from 30% to <2%. This project inspired us to continue collaboration with humanitarian partners to deploy CHASM to reach the world’s most vulnerable ASM communities, which are often isolated by geography, conflict, or sociopolitical issues. The ASM Grand Challenge will expand our network of partner organizations and move our innovation from a case-by-case response to a scalable and transferable tool, increasing its adoption at ASM sites throughout the world.”