Mercury — A scourge in the global ASM sector

To touch upon my experience in this area, the first two decades of my life were spent in a gold mining area in India, where I was born and did my schooling, and later moved away to other cities for my higher studies. During my school days, I watched poor and vulnerable artisanal miners, men and women (mostly illegal), sifting sand at small water bodies. Later, I learned that they were looking for gold, using mercury! The pictures of poor artisanal miners embedded in my impressionable mind refuse to go away till today! Not to mention that the cyanide dumps from the gold mines were just about 50 yards from the Quarters where we lived! Words like Silicosis were whispered with fear, but that’s for another story…

According to Research studies, it is estimated that more than 200 million people from various metals and minerals are fully supported by artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), operating in more than 80 largely underdeveloped countries in the world. More than 150 to 300 million people sell food, shelter, clothing, and equipment in the sector.

ASM is often deeply integrated into nearby communities and businesses that sell products and services to the miners often originating from these communities. Studies show that 30 per cent of artisanal miners are female globally. In Africa, however, it is more like 50 per cent, which underscores the community inclusion side of ASM. It is possible that ASM may have existed prior to large mining projects being even contemplated. In fact, ASM, both present and active, can be an exploration indicator for potential large projects, indicating the possibility of valuable mineral reserves.

A country-wise assessment may help to understand the pattern of globally operated ASMs. Australian mining majors like Rio Tinto and BHP have been operating across continents along with many mid-sized mining companies. But, because artisanal miners are present on or near their formal land concessions, legal problems arise with major companies.

Large companies, however, benefit from their ability to earn social licenses with broader communities in the vicinity of projects. So, to achieve long-term success and win-win value, large mining companies recognise that ASMs are unique stakeholders to be supported by the implementation of good practices. Also, by equipping artisanal miners to increase their productivity, majors use it to benefit LSM-ASM collaboration. Larger projects should remember that ASM may have been on the ground first and is part of the broader context of earning a social license.

According to reports, Mercury, used extensively by artisanals is a controlled substance in Brazil, and sales are illegal if not registered, stating its origin and use. Mercury also pollutes the rivers and poisons the fish, a staple for Indigenous communities in the Amazon, where studies show women and children with dangerously high levels of mercury in their blood.

Globally mercury is a scourge in ASM gold, poisoning soil, water, animals, and people. Investment that enables ASM to professionalise can change paradigms on dignity and productivity in the sector. Also, shifting from mercury to viable, safe alternatives is one of several positive outcomes. Investment is commercially viable and productivity results in value creation.

Despite the Minamata Convention a decade ago on shifting from mercury, today there are close to 20 million artisanal gold miners worldwide using mercury—far too many using mercury!  Artisanal mining is a common activity across much of West Africa and has risen in recent years due to growing demand for metals and rising prices. Many deadly accidents are frequent, as artisanal miners often use old-fashioned and unregulated methods of digging.

 Aruna Gaitonde, Editor, preciousworld.online