Education and equipment distribution lead to increased mercury knowledge and retort use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities in Senegal

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is an important livelihood, but also the largest contributor to anthropogenic mercury emissions globally. Two key persistent challenges in reducing mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities are effective educational interventions and accessibility to improved technologies. This study evaluates the efficacy of education and equipment distribution interventions to reduce mercury use in artisanal gold mining in Senegalese mining communities. We analyzed the effects of education and retort (mercury-capture devices) distribution through pre- and post-intervention surveys in nine Senegalese mining communities, divided into control, education-only, and education + retort distribution. Educational sessions were conducted in local languages using simple graphics by trusted community members. Retorts were constructed by local metalworkers using locally available materials. The combination of education and retort distribution increased knowledge about the efficacy of retorts and dangers of mercury (94% post-intervention). The combination also increased retort use, from 3% to 64% post-intervention. Retort use in the other two groups also marginally increased. The increased knowledge and retort use observed in control villages suggests a potential social overflow effect of the intervention, extending beyond the locations in which they occurred. Our results indicate that the graphics-based and community-oriented educational approach accompanied by increased access to retorts provides a strong foundation for reducing mercury emissions and exposure to artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities.