Artisanal Gold Mining and Mercury Pollution
Between 10 million and 20 million miners in over 70 countries, including up to 5 million women and children, are engaged in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. These operations contribute to 37% of global mercury pollution, with miners using mercury to extract gold from ores, leading to toxic vapours being released in the process.
Insight: The use of mercury in artisanal gold mining not only harms the health of miners but also has significant implications for environmental pollution and biodiversity loss.
Challenges in Transitioning to Mercury-Free Mining
Informal mining sites lack the necessary funding and training to shift towards mercury-free mining practices. Despite providing 20% of the global gold supply, artisanal miners often face financial constraints, leading them to resort to using mercury due to limited access to fair financial opportunities.
Empowering Women for Sustainable Mining
Initiatives like local savings and credit groups empower women in rural and remote communities to adopt safer mining practices and reduce their dependency on the mining sector. This financial agency not only benefits the women involved but also contributes to promoting sustainable mining methods.
Moving towards Mercury-Free Mining Practices
Efforts to train artisanal miners in mercury-free mining techniques are making a difference in countries like Burkina Faso. By providing technical training and resources, organizations like planetGOLD are enabling miners to process ore without the use of mercury, leading to safer and more sustainable mining methods.
Insight: The shift towards mercury-free mining not only benefits the health of miners but also contributes to reducing mercury emissions and protecting biodiversity.
Global Efforts to Eliminate Mercury Use
The work of planetGOLD in reducing mercury emissions and supporting miners highlights the importance of international agreements like the Minamata Convention. This convention aims to phase out mercury use across various industries, including gold mining, to safeguard human health and the environment.
Insight: Collaborative efforts on a global scale are crucial to achieving sustainability goals and reducing the impact of mercury pollution on ecosystems and species.
