This document represents an expansion of the UNEP’s Guidance Document: Developing a National Strategic Plan to Reduce Mercury Use in Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining (UNEP 2011), and is intended to reflect Convention obligation and other advances in understanding of the ASGM sector. This document provides guidance to countries in formulating NAPs that are compliant with the requirements of the Minamata Convention, and provides technical, legal and policy information on issues related to ASGM, which can be useful when preparing and implementing the NAP. Although the use of this guidance is not a requirement under the Minamata Convention, this guidance is intended to assist countries with the preparation of their NAPs.