Dr. Kai Gehring
University of Bern

Narrative Videos on Artisanal Gold Mining in the Peruvian Amazon

Can storytelling help shift an informal sector toward sustainable practices?

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the Peruvian Amazon presents one of the most challenging sustainability puzzles in the region: it provides essential livelihoods for tens of thousands of families while causing severe environmental damage, including widespread deforestation and mercury contamination of rivers and communities. For decades, policy responses have relied heavily on enforcement and negative incentives—crackdowns, fines, and criminalization. Yet the empirical evidence is clear: these approaches have largely failed. Mining continues to expand, informality persists, and the environmental toll keeps rising.

Our research takes a different approach. Rather than viewing miners purely as rule-breakers to be punished, we investigate multi-faceted interventions that address the complex barriers to formalization. The goal is to help miners transition to a new equilibrium: formal operations using clean, mercury-free technology, with proper certification that opens access to legal markets and fair prices. This requires shifting not just regulations, but also norms, knowledge, and aspirations within mining communities.

The videos presented here focus on the behavioral dimension of this larger project. We produced two distinct interventions to test how different communication strategies affect miners' attitudes and willingness to formalize. The factual video presents scientific evidence on environmental and health impacts alongside technical information about cleaner alternatives. The aspirational narrative video reframes the story entirely—portraying miners who adopt sustainable practices not as reformed villains, but as community heroes protecting their families and the rainforest for future generations. Other components of the project examine complementary levers, including economic incentives, institutional support, and market access.

This project is conducted in cooperation with the Wyss Academy for Nature – Peru Hub.