Conservation X Labs and a global Coalition of Partners is running the Artisanal Mining Grand Challenge. Do you have an innovation that can trans...

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Conservation X Labs and a global Coalition of Partners is running the Artisanal Mining Grand Challenge. Do you have an innovation that can transform the environmental and social outcomes of this sector? Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is a critical source of livelihood for an estimated 40+ million people worldwide. While ASM generates wealth in developing countries, ASM practices can cause habitat loss, species’ population decline, poor water quality, hydrological changes, and negative human health & livelihood impacts.  The Artisanal Mining Grand Challenge is a global  competition with over $750,000 in prizes   that seeks breakthroughs to improve the current practices of ASM at all points of the mineral supply chains.   The challenge has four subcomponents: Prevent, Remediate, Restore: This Sub-Challenge seeks breakthrough innovations that are implemented at ASM sites to prevent, remediate, or restore impacts from ASM on water, hydrology, land, biodiversity, human health, and/or ecosystems. Reform Supply Chains: This Sub-Challenge seeks innovations that significantly reduce the social and environmental costs of commodities sourced through ASM, downstream from the ASM sites. Global Data : This Sub-Challenge seeks solutions that measure the environmental and social impacts of ASM and equip people with tools to improve the environmental and social outcomes of ASM practices. The $100,000 Microsoft Artisanal Mining AI For Earth Award:   As part of the Grand Challenge, Microsoft’s AI for Earth initiative is awarding $100,000 for solutions that utilize or deploy artificial intelligence (AI), including machine learning, to address ASM in any of the Sub-Challenge categories. See the Grand Challenge website for more information on how to apply. https://artisanalminingchallenge.com Deadline for applications is March 1, 2020

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