Mercury and artisanal and small-scale gold mining: Review of global use estimates and considerations for promoting mercury-free alternatives

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is present in over 80 countries, employing about 15 million miners and serving as source of livelihood for millions more. The sector is estimated to be the largest emitter of mercury globally. The Minamata Convention on Mercury seeks to reduce and, where feasible, eliminate mercury use in the ASGM. However, the total quantity of mercury used in ASGM globally is still highly uncertain, and the adoption of mercury-free technologies has been limited. This paper presents an overview of new data, derived from Minamata ASGM National Action Plan submissions, that can contribute to refining estimates of mercury use in ASGM, and then assesses technologies that can support the phase out mercury use in ASGM while increasing gold recovery. The paper concludes with a discussion of social and economic barriers to adoption of these technologies, illustrated by a case study from Uganda.

The Toxicity of Mercury and Its Chemical Compounds: Molecular Mechanisms and Environmental and Human Health Implications: A Comprehensive Review

“…Education facilitates the transfer of knowledge regarding mercury-free technologies and processes, and it ensures that advancements and innovations in alternative methods are communicated and adopted by industries. 215 One of the case studies in which training programs were initiated by the United Nations to tackle the environmental issue of using mercury is a 3-year campaign from 2005 to 2008 in Tanzania, which is one of the fastest-growing mining countries in the last few decades. 216 The initiative focused on enhancing the capabilities of community laboratories by providing training and necessary resources.…”

“…It ensures that advancements and innovations in alternative methods are communicated and adopted by industries. Education facilitates the transfer of knowledge regarding mercury-free technologies and processes, and it ensures that advancements and innovations in alternative methods are communicated and adopted by industries . In addition, education provides the foundation for understanding and supporting government policies aimed at reducing mercury use.…”

“…Education facilitates the transfer of knowledge regarding mercury-free technologies and processes, and it ensures that advancements and innovations in alternative methods are communicated and adopted by industries. 215 In addition, education provides the foundation for understanding and supporting government policies aimed at reducing mercury use. It enables stakeholders to engage in informed discussions and advocate for policies that align with sustainable practices.…”

Mercury abatement in the environment: Insights from industrial emissions and fates in the environment

“…Weighted linear projections into 2022 indicate that it produced 789 Mg. According to the Global Mercury Assessment 2018 (2018 GMA), Indonesia and the Philippines in Southeast Asia, China in East Asia and Peru, Columbia, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, and Ecuador in Southern America, and Sudan in Africa are the countries with the most mercury-intensive ASGM sectors [ 33 ]. Despite being active signatories in the Minamata Convention (MC), these countries are likely to continue unabated ASGM processes due to high gold prices and the proliferation of Hg amalgamation [ 34 ].…”

Use of Metallic Mercury in Artisanal Gold Mining by Amalgamation: A Review of Temporal and Spatial Trends and Environmental Pollution

“…These strategies are to be monitored by the Convention Secretariat [213]. Recent data from submitted Minamata NAPs confirm the ongoing widespread use of mercury in ASGM, but addressing this usage of Hg necessitates effective strategies that not only promote Hg-free technologies but also tailor them to the geological, technical, social, and economic conditions under which ASGM operates [214]. While the Minamata Convention on mercury control represents a positive step forward, the firsthand experiences of the authors in most countries in Africa reveal that miners frequently find ways to circumvent or disregard regulations.…”