Elemental mercury is extremely volatile even in room temperature, and the amount released rises concurrently with rise in temperature (Broussard et al 3). Because mercury is lipid soluble, it diffuses
easily through alveoli in the lungs, thus entering the bloodstream and binding to
erythrocytes, or red blood cells (3). If mercury passes through the brain blood barrier, it can exert its powerful neurotoxicity and cause lasting neurological impairment.
According to the EPA, mercury poisoning can cause impairment to vision and
numerous psychological diseases like Mad Hatter’s and insomnia (EPA). Furthermore,
methyl mercury used in mining can be absorbed into the GI tracts of fish where it binds to iron in Hemoglobin as well as disturb the function of intestinal mucosa (EPA). In
small scale and illegal mining operations, it is likely that mercury used in purification
will be releasedinto the surrounding atmosphere,
which can be highly detrimental to workers as well as wildlife in surrounding
areas. This purification process
has proliferated in mining hot spots in places like Indonesia Venezuela and Ghana where mining is unregulated by the
government (Broussard).
A Taste of Destruction: Cisitu, Indonesia
Around the world, there already is tangible evidence for the devastation caused by Mercury and Gold purification. Illegal mines in Indonesia are perpetuated by the black
market sale of mercury in the 1700 island archipelago (Cochrane). The disparity between the reported and real tally of mercury imports to the country is startling; The country officially reported that 7.8 metric tons of mercury were imported, while the United Nations concluded
that there was more than 280 metric tons of mercury imports (Cochrane). People in the area, especially workers, already have had to cope with the elevated levels of mercury in their environment. Hair samples taken from a Citsu resident has found that she had 25.3 ppm mercury reading, compared to the two ppm safe level given by the World Health Organization (Cochrane 1). Furthermore, water tested in the three main rivers of the region had mercury levels 14.5 to 140 times those of the EPA health standard (1). Sites like these have sprouted around the world as the global demand for gold rises.
With it, there are numerous ethical concerns regarding the what this business will mean for human and environmental health in gold mining regions.
Caura Basin: Venezuela’s Fragile Beauty
Illegal mining has also proliferated in one of Venezuela’s most pristine
environments, the Caura River Basin. Host to around 168 species of mammals and 475
species of bird, the region has been threatened by mercury poisoning and sediment displacement since the mining business in the
area grew in the early 2000s (Jones). Despite specific statements given by the Venezuelan government to protect the land of indigenous people in the Basin, as many as 40,000 illegal mining groups are currently still in operation
(Jones). These illegal gold mines have already been
extremely detrimental to this fragile region. Studies
have pointed to dynamite blasts as eventual
spawning grounds for mosquitos (Jones).
Furthermore, mining projects along the riverside have eroded adjacent riverbacks and adulterate water purity, which has been very detrimental to the local communities’ main source of drinking water as well as the fish population in the area (1). Illegal mining has become increasingly active in the neighboring countries of Brazil and Guyana (1).
Given the myriad of smallscale gold mines around the world,Given the myriad of smallscale gold mines around the world,
Given the myriad of smallscale gold mines around the world, it
is improbable that there will be a totally comprehensive regulatory body
to oversee operations that deal with hazardous chemicals like mercury
or cyanide. However, there are alternative machinery and methods that
can be used to mitigate the devastation caused by gold mining. For
example, the Gold Shop Mercury Capture System has proven effective
in reducing mercury pollution in the ambient atmosphere. Calculations
conducted by the EPA conclude that each unit can decrease mercury
concentration in the surrounding environment by around 80% (EPA).
This machine proves especially practical to artisanal gold miners, as it
is cost effective, structurally compact, and easily implementable (EPA).
Solutions?
Given the myriad of smallscale gold mines around the world, it
is improbable that there will be a totally comprehensive regulatory body
to oversee operations that deal with hazardous chemicals like mercury
or cyanide. However, there are alternative machinery and methods that
can be used to mitigate the devastation caused by gold mining. For
example, the Gold Shop Mercury Capture System has proven effective
in reducing mercury pollution in the ambient atmosphere. Calculations
conducted by the EPA conclude that each unit can decrease mercury
concentration in the surrounding environment by around 80% (EPA).
This machine proves especially practical to artisanal gold miners, as it
is cost effective, structurally compact, and easily implementable (EPA).
Citsu, Indonesia: (Right) A young man pushes out payload from a tunnel mine. (Left) Mercury is added to a ball mill (Cochrane 1).
Source: (Jufri Kemal, NY times)
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