Destructive Extraction

Destructive extraction of gold remains a major source of public health risk worldwide and causes a plethora of environmental complications. The link between the “global gold rush” and the negative impact on humanity are seen in developing countries that are heavily overwhelmed by poverty and weak economies. Mercury is a ubiquitous metal whose origin is either natural or anthropogenic. This potent neurotoxin is released when poverty-driven arsenal miners extract gold in more than 50 countries.1 This dilemma is particularly prevalent in African countries such as Tanzania. It is estimated that more than 100 million people all over the world are exposed to mercury from small-scale mining, both directly and indirectly. From this number, approximately 200,000–300,000 of these affected people are from Tanzania.3 It is important to note that mercury is not only a hazard in mining areas, but it also contributes to downstream problems and negatively impacts the ability of communities to earn income. Due to the unstable Tanzanian economy, large mining companies own more than 90% of the mineral-rich land in the Geita region.3 As a result, illegal small-market mining has become a serious problem in this area. Its monetary benefits have attracted many of the poor citizen groups.

The amalgamation of gold is a simple extraction process that entails the separation of gold from the gold-mercury amalgam by burning. The burning releases 70-80% of the total mercury from the process into the atmosphere.1 The vapor also deposits on areas close to the emission site. For example, a sample from the mudwall of a hut where amalgam burning occurred in Katente, Tanzania contained 324 mg Hg/kg and another sample from the soot in a goldsmith’s shop...

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...paigns. The recycled mercury has consequently been exported to developing countries where they become key components for mining and skin creams.

It is imperative that the public becomes more aware about the implications of small-scale mining in developing countries. With enlightenment comes the enactment of laws and legislation. Mercury contamination due to gold mining not only affects Tanzania, but also other mineral rich developing countries impeded by industrial exploitation. Mercury impacts the health of people and also hinders their respective community’s ability to earn income because of their polluted produce. The onus is on industries to use safer techniques for gold amalgamation and for these ‘third world’ countries to let their voices be heard as they fight to protect the lives of current and future generations in the hope of nationwide progression.