Mercury Free Mining Brings On Managing Director

Bernadette Mack will join Mercury Free Mining (MFM) in the newly created position of managing director, as part of its plan to expand programming and outreach.

Mack, who has served as executive director of the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) and operated a private consultancy firm, has extensive experience in both the nonprofit sector and the jewelry industry, MFM said last week. She will implement operational systems as well as new outreach and funding outlets that will support MFM’s future growth.

“We couldn’t be happier that [Mack] has joined our team and mission,” said Toby Pomeroy, executive director of MFM. “Her passion for nonprofit work and deep knowledge of organizational management are exactly what we need right now.”

Mack’s appointment comes at an important time for MFM, which is beginning new initiatives in Colombia and Sierra Leone to introduce its Goldrop technology to artisanal and small-scale miners. The company recently received a $93,000 grant from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) for the initiative, which is focused on eliminating the use of mercury in gold processing.

“For years we’ve been working toward our vision of eradicating mercury use among artisanal and small-scale gold miners,” Pomeroy added. “With the discovery of the highly efficient Goldrop technology, we feel we’re on the cusp of seeing our vision become reality. This is the ideal time for us to bring on an expert in nonprofit management to help us scale our operations to make huge strides in eliminating the use of mercury pollution from gold mining.”

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Main image: Bernadette Mack. (Mercury Free Mining)