; (C) the cross-border trafficking of illicit gold, and the mercury, cyanide, explosives, and other hazardous materials used in illicit gold mining; and (D) surveillance and investigation of illicit and related activities that are related to or are indicators of illicit gold mining activities; (5) to ensure the successful implementation of the existing Memoranda of Understanding signed with the Governments of Peru and of Colombia in 2017 and 2018, respectively, to expand bilateral cooperation to combat illicit gold mining; (6) to work with governments in the Western Hemisphere, bolster the effectiveness of anti-money laundering efforts to combat the financing of illicit actors in Latin America and the Caribbean and counter the laundering of proceeds related to illicit gold mining by— (A) fostering international and regional cooperation and facilitating intelligence sharing, as appropriate, to identify and disrupt financial flows related to the illicit gold mining, trafficking, and commercialization of gold and other minerals and illicit metals; and (B) supporting the formulation of strategies to ensure the compliance of reporting institutions involved in the mining sector and to promote transparency in mining-sector transactions; (7) to support foreign government efforts— (A) to increase regulations of the ASM sector; (B) to facilitate licensing and formalization processes for ASM miners; (C) to create and implement environmental safeguards to reduce the negative environmental impact of mining on sensitive ecosystems; and (D) to develop mechanisms to support regulated artisanal mining as a job growth area; (8) to engage the mining industry to encourage the building of technical expertise in best practices, environmental safeguards, and access to new technologies