Artisanal And Small-scale Gold Mining Sector Research Articles

Optimization of adaptive and sustainable gold ore grinding processes for better environmental and land conditions in the small-scale gold mining sector in Indonesia

The artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector largely relies on mercury in gold processing, posing potential environmental contamination, health issues, and land degradation. In the villages of Tatelu and Talawaan, ASGM operations, guided by local knowledge and resources, have transitioned to using cyanide leaching for gold processing sustainably. These operations utilize andesitic stones from river deposits as grinding media in the grinding process. However, the cyanide leaching results were not optimal, with a gold recovery below 60%. This leaves significant amounts of gold in the waste, necessitating further processing and the incomplete treatment of free cyanide waste. The suboptimal gold recovery in cyanide leaching is attributed to the inadequate grain size liberation during grinding. This study optimized grinding by comparing andesitic stone grinding media with steel balls and rods. The findings indicate that to achieve a grain size of 75% passing 74 um, grinding with andesitic stones takes 4 hours, while steel rods and balls take 3 hours. For a grain size of 75% passing 44 um, grinding with andesitic stones, steel balls, and rods requires 6 hours. With more precise process parameters, locally available andesitic stones can be an effective grinding medium to optimize gold recovery. In line with optimizing gold recovery, this will enhance ASGM's revenue, encouraging the adoption of waste management practices to alleviate environmental impact, health risks, and land degradation. This aligns with the promotion of sustainable practices within the ASGM sector.

Beyond the numbers: Group formation in the artisanal and small-scale mining in Ghana

The dramatic increase in Artisanal and Small-scale gold mining (ASM) in the developing world, especially sub-Saharan Africa, is not a happenstance. This has been due to the steady decline in livelihoods based on agriculture and the increasing destitution of many households in these areas. In Ghana, the ASM sector is ever-expanding, providing direct employment for many individuals. The nature of the activity, however, is labour-intensive and thus requires the miners to collaborate and work in groups. Even though traditionally, numbers have mattered in group formation, this paper argues that size is not a critical consideration in forming mining groups. Based on fieldwork in the Birim North District of Ghana using focus group discussions and interviews, the paper found that issues of leadership, reciprocity, trust, and mutual respect are instrumental in forming ASM groups. Not discounting the strengthening of their bonds through multiple locations, the respondents are empathic that rather than size, issues of leadership qualities and conformity to rules and arrangements are vital considerations for group formation. It is recommended that stakeholders take a critical look at ASM to sanitise and improve the perception of the ASM miners as they are well-organised. Still, if they have internal structures which are well organised, they can be relied upon in a comprehensive sanitization.

Socio-economic baseline, economic feasibility study and processing activities ASGM in Obi Island, South Halmahera District, North Maluku Province, Indonesia

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) is mining of gold deposits with simple physical and chemical characteristics using simple equipment and technology. In 2005, total mercury release in the environment in ASGM was more than twice from this sector, around 35% of total mercury, with an annual estimate at 727 tons, becoming the largest global resource of anthropogenic mercury release. In Indonesia, total mercury released to the environment is estimated at 340 metric tons per year and also among the top 3 global emitters of mercury, with 57.5% from the ASGM sector, where 60% is being emitted to air, 20% to water, and the remaining 20% to land. The location of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in this study are in Anggai village and Air Mangga village in Obi sub-district, South Halmahera district, North Maluku Province. Amalgamation has been the preferred method for treating the gold ores in both Anggai and Air Mangga Villages. The methodology provides a suggested approach for collecting and analyzing data and guidance for analyzing policy, regulatory, and institutional aspects and health aspects in the ASGM sector, mainly covering the Socio Economy ASGM research methodology. An assessment of the practicality of a proposed plan or project is also called Feasibility Study. The objective of this research was to describe the socio-economic impact and feasibility of gold processing of ASGM in Obi Island, South Halmahera district, North Maluku Province.

A review of gold production, mercury consumption, and emission in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM)

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is one of the largest sources of Hg emissions and is critical for addressing the Hg problem. Due to scarce and punctual statistics provided by governments and agencies, there is almost no accurate data on ASGM production, Hg use, and emissions. In this study, we surveyed different approaches to estimate ASGM production and collected data from different sources, including academic papers and technical reports. Globally, 380–870 tonnes of gold is produced by ASGM each year, with a median value of 520 tonnes. The Hg use in the ASGM sector was estimated to be 640–1000 tonnes each year, with a median value of 892 tonnes. Consequently, 248–838 tonnes of Hg are emitted from the ASGM sector each year, with a median value of 615 tonnes. However, significant discrepancies were found in the data calculated using different approaches, particularly in countries where the estimates were large, such as China. To obtain a more accurate picture of global ASGM activities, a general estimation approach combining specific studies of dominant countries is necessary. For better management of ASGM in the future, developing a solid baseline and comprehensive future projection scenarios and establishing international collaboration to construct guidance on ASGM are recommended.

How do technological changes in artisanal and small-scale gold mining affect the environment and communities’ health?

In recent decades, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in developing countries has evolved from a labour-intensive, manual process into an increasingly mechanised and technologically advanced activity. Nevertheless, most ASGM operations continue to be informal. There are very few environmental safeguards and there is little appropriate medical care for workers and their communities. In this article, we analyse the health and environmental effects produced by these technological changes through in-depth case studies of two ASGM mines in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. First, we analyse the health and environmental risks created by the introduction of new technologies. Second, we analyse the knowledge, or lack thereof, of local communities and ASGM workers about the risks that these new technologies pose. Third, we analyse the health problems that the community is currently experiencing in relation to these technologies and how the local health system copes with them. And finally, we discuss the possibility of adopting technologies that better protect human health and the environment, as well as the necessity to increase the formalisation of the ASGM sector. Indeed, this study brings to light how unsuccessful formalisation, in an environment where extractive technologies are changing, increases the number of health and environmental problems faced by miners. It builds the case for an increased traceability and accountability of downstream actors for the environments and communities producing the materials their industries need.

A Geoeconomic Planning and Evaluation Model for Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana

Following calls for comprehensive National Action Plans (NAPs) that outline training programmes for the handling of mercury and strategies for reducing emissions from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) under the Minamata Convention, other follow-up calls intensified the need for the formalisation or regulation of ASGM in the sector. Aside from the precarious emission of mercury and hazards to the environment, the ASGM sector resorts to unsafe methods for exploiting minerals due to inadequate funding. It is not surprising that anti-mining groups constantly advocate against mining in general as a result of the harm unprofessional ASGM operators expose man and the environment to. In this light, several studies have been conducted to propose safe techniques of exploiting minerals by ASGM operators and the need for governments to regulate the sector through legal instruments. Unfortunately, the problems of ASGM seem to linger on. Notwithstanding, much attention has not been given to the formulation of procedures for accurate resource estimation and subsequent feasibility studies of ASGM, which could probably be a major cause of ASGM challenges. This study proposes Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) technique for estimating the concentration of alluvium gold. The IDW method was successfully applied to the alluvial deposit of the Mpeasem Gold Project, and practical results were obtained for economic evaluations. The total volume of alluvial gold deposits was 3.4 Mm3 at an average grade of 0.46 g/m3. Economic evaluation yielded a net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) of USD 2.8 M and 48%, respectively. The results indicate that reasonable data from outcrop sampling, pitting and trenching, and detailed cost estimates can present a more compelling case for funding. This way, the funding inadequacies which contribute to the use of shortcuts and unsafe tools, materials, and methods can be minimised.

Voluntary gold certification programs: A viable mechanism for improving artisanal and small-scale mining in Peru?

Globally, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) provides a livelihood for approximately 20 million people directly and millions more indirectly. Despite its economic contributions and job creation for rural communities, the sector continues to be overlooked in local, regional, and national sustainable development plans. Voluntary gold certification programs, created and administered by international NGOs, have emerged as one response to tackle the social and environmental issues associated with the ASGM sector. Although voluntary gold certifications are gaining more traction, their impacts remain unclear. Focusing on Peru, the country with the greatest number of certified artisanal and small-scale gold mining organizations (ASMOs), this paper examines the practical impacts when certification is achieved and identifies the shortcomings. Based on interviews with gold certification staff members and members of certified ASMOs, as well as site visits to certified mining operations, we demonstrate that gold certification programs are driving ASMOs to implement better environmental management and health and safety practices. Certified ASMOs are also benefitting from the economic incentives of selling gold internationally, and they are investing the premiums they receive from certifications into projects that benefit their workers and the mining town. Still, the reach of certification programs remains limited, with only a fraction of miners working for certified ASMOs. This article concludes that although gold certification programs have the potential to improve environmental protection and contribute to rural development, there are challenges that will have to be overcome for small-scale mining organizations to achieve and maintain certification status.

Assessing Social and Environmental Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Practices in Lolgorian, Kenya

The environmental implications of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) practices have significantly grown, particularly on environment, socio, and livelihoods of the mining communities. The study aims to investigates the environmental and socioeconomic consequences of these practices. A survey research design including primary data as well as a random sample process were employed in the study. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed to randomly selection respondents across the artisanal mining and processing areas. The statistical package for social sciences version 26.0 was used to analyze the data, which included frequency distribution tables, pie charts, bar graphs, percentages, regression, and correlation analyses. According to the data, 97% of gold miners use the mercury amalgamation process, 95.5% operate illegally, and 94.3% do not conduct environmental impact assessments for their mining activities. In terms of ASGM formalization, 68.1% say that poor governance has had an influence on the process, hampered sustainable practices and operations. According to the data, 91.4% of respondents strongly agreed that ASGM provides livelihoods for both women and children, while 73.1% strongly felt that ASGM is more profitable than other forms of livelihoods. The total health implications of hazardous chemical exposure linked with ASGM activities are that 75.5% are aware of major health consequences. Unfortunately, 83.2% of individuals surveyed said they continued to burn amalgam without protective equipment. The environmental implications of ASGM operations have significantly grown, particularly in terms of forest destruction and soil and water contamination (60.4%). The data from model fitting revealed that, at p=0.05, trends, practices, and governance structures were statistically significant with independent variables (X1, X2, X3, and X4) in predicting ASGM environmental sustainability. According to the data, Nagelkerke=0.198, or about 20% of the variance in mining operations in the ASGM sector, may be attributed to the four independent variables. According to the findings of the study, ASGM’s current practices and governance structures have a major influence on the sector’s environmental sustainability. The study suggests that ASGM formalization be accelerated and decentralized, and that governance mechanisms be operationalized in order to improve miners’ skills and knowledge through education and socioeconomic development. Promoting miners’ self-regulation is also essential for ensuring environmental sustainability.

In a life full of risks, COVID-19 makes little difference. Responses to COVID-19 among mobile migrants in gold mining areas in Suriname and French Guiana

Worldwide, the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 disproportionally affect vulnerable groups in society. This paper assesses responses to, and impacts of, the pandemic among mobile migrant populations who work in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in Suriname and French Guiana. These populations are characterized by poverty, informal or illegal status, and limited access to health care and information. Field research in Suriname (November 2020–January 2021) and French Guiana (January, May, June 2021) included qualitative interviews, informal conversations and observations, and a quantitative survey with 361 men and women in ASGM communities.Contrary to reports from the ASGM sector elsewhere, interviewed inhabitants of ASGM areas in Suriname and French Guiana showed little concern about COVID-19. Respondents reported feeling safer in the forest where they work than in the urban areas or in their home country. Trust in home remedies and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals further reduced anxiety about the pandemic. Three-quarters of survey respondents reported that the COVID-19 pandemic had not affected their work or income at all.The researchers conclude that in these remote Amazon communities, responses to COVID-19 mirror attitudes and behavior vis-à-vis malaria and other health risks: self-medicate, ignore, and pray. Living on the margins of society mitigates the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19, as containment measures are not applied to these socially invisible populations. Whereas the urban poor are severely hit by the pandemic, this hidden population benefits from high gold prices, an outdoors lifestyle, and traditional resourcefulness in dealing with a life full of risks.

Assessing the safety and health practices in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector of Ghana: A case of Ntotroso

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), which is quickly surging and largely practised across Sub-Saharan Africa, is a substantial source of income for many people in the areas where it is undertaken. However, despite this recognized potential, ASGM offers several problems to those who indulge in it, particularly, the health and safety of miners, given that ASGM is extremely unsafe. The purpose of the research was to look into the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) practices in Ghana's ASGM sector, with a focus on ‘Ntotroso’, and uncover the flaws so that important players and regulators are aware. The findings give a comprehensive picture of human health concerns in Ghanaian ASGM communities when taken collectively. The study used a quantitative research technique, with all 110 survey participants being sampled. The study discovered the non-existence of OSH system management, while the predominant cause of accidents emanates from physical, mechanical, chemical, biological, noise, ergonomic, and psychological hazards. This leads to injuries, fatalities, and absence from work. Also, the study detected a poor level of adherence and strategies for enhancing OSH policies in ASGM since there was none to refer to. These findings suggest that there are OSH violations in the ASGM sector in the study area. The study, therefore, suggests increased safety training, increased use of personal protective equipment, and frequent inclusion of drone technology into regulatory compliance monitoring of ASGM are all possible goals for attaining OSH standards.

Detection of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Activities and Their Transformation Using Earth Observation, Nighttime Light, and Precipitation Data.

The rapid growth of artificially constructed mining camps has negatively impacted the camps’ surrounding environment and the informal communities that have developed inside the camps. However, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is generally informal, illegal, and unregulated; thus, transformations of the mining activities and potential social-environmental problems resulting from these changes are not revealed. This study assesses the transformation of mining activities in camp-type ASGM sectors in Gorontalo, Indonesia, during 2014–2020 using remotely sensed data, such as Landsat series, nighttime light, and precipitation data obtained through Google Earth Engine. Results show that the combined growth of the built-up areas increased 4.8-fold, and their annual mean nighttime light increased 3.8-fold during 2014–2019. Furthermore, diverse increases in the sizes of area and nighttime light intensity were identified from the mining camps. Among the studied camps, since 2017, Motomboto camp 3 showed a particularly rapid change in activity regardless of the season of the year. Hence, these approaches are capable of identifying rapid transformations in the mining activities and provide significant insight into the socio-environmental problems originating from the closed and vulnerable camp-based ASGM sector. Our results also contribute to developing rapid and appropriate interventions and strengthening environmental governance.

Mercury (Hg) use and pollution assessment of ASGM in Ghana: challenges and strategies towards Hg reduction.

Reduction or possible elimination of Hg from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is one of the main goals of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which has been signed by many countries involved in ASGM, including Ghana. This article provides a recent overview of ASGM gold production and Hg use in Ghana. In addition, in order to highlight the impacts of Hg use in Ghana, a review was conducted on research studies investigating Hg pollution in waterbodies, soils, fish, and humans caused by ASGM over the past two decades. The continued use of Hg in Ghana's growing ASGM sector has resulted in reportedly high Hg levels found in water, sediments, crops, and miners, which exceed international guidelines. A subsequent ASGM ban and increased monitoring of illegal mining activities in Ghana have not ultimately been successful at significantly reducing Hg use and its associated impacts caused by rampant use in the country. Moreover, Hg alternatives in the ASGM sector are limited in Ghana, with little funding, support, education, and training in place to promote their implementation. As gold produced by ASGM continues to increase annually, clear policy reforms targeting Hg use are vitally needed, as well as efficient strategies to remediate Hg-contaminated areas.

Time-Series Assessment of Camp-Type Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Sectors with Large Influxes of Miners Using LANDSAT Imagery

Mining sites development have had a significant impact on local socioeconomic conditions, the environment, and sustainability. However, the transformation of camp-type artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sites with large influxes of miners from different regions has not been properly evaluated, owing to the closed nature of the ASGM sector. Here, we use remote sensing imagery and field investigations to assess ASGM sites with large influxes of miners living in mining camps in Bone Bolango Regency, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia, in 1995–2020. Built-up areas were identified as indicators of transformation of camp-type ASGM sites, using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, from the time series of images obtained using Google Earth Engine, then correlated with the prevalent gold market price. An 18.6-fold increase in built-up areas in mining camps was observed in 2020 compared with 1995, which correlated with increases in local gold prices. Field investigations showed that miner influx also increased after increases in gold prices. These findings extend our understanding of the rate and scale of development in the closed ASGM sector and the driving factors behind these changes. Our results provide significant insight into the potential rates and levels of socio-environmental pollution at local and community levels.

‘All that glitters is not gold’: the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on artisanal and small-scale gold mining and supply chains in Peru

This article explores the impact of COVID-19 on artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) supply chains in Peru between spring 2020 and early 2021. This analysis delves into the effects of the pandemic on the ASGM sector and the illicit flow of gold, including the effect of the mandated lockdown on the Peruvian economy, the price of gold and its impact on artisanal and small-scale mining communities, the socio-economic consequences of the quarantine on Peru's ASGM population, and the impact of lockdown on the gold supply chain. This study suggests the artisanal and small-scale mining formalization process in Peru was greatly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, which brought complications such as increased criminal activity and violence along the gold supply chain. Similar trends can be seen in ASGM populations around the globe, and case studies from Zimbabwe, Colombia, Bolivia, and Chile explore how different governments have handled the effect of COVID-19 on the ASGM sector. This article highlights recommendations for governments and other key stakeholders to consider for supporting and strengthening ASGM communities, the gold supply chain, and the pursuit of formalization in Peru and worldwide.

The ASGM sector in Africa – A child of misery and desperation?

ABSTRACT This paper considers the factors affecting the growth of one of the fastest growing export sectors in Africa – gold from the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector. The artisanal gold mining sector was largely illegal in most African countries until the 1990s and has grown from virtually nothing to exports of at least 446 tonnes of gold worth approximately US$17.94 billion to Dubai in 2016, with some 10 million Africans working in these often hazardous mines, up from approximately 1.8 million in 1999. The study investigates the pull and push factors affecting the sector using different quantitative estimates of the size of the sector.

Potential health effects of cyanide use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Burkina Faso

Abstract The artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector in Burkina Faso increasingly employs cyanide leaching to exploit the natural resource gold. The long-term consequences of chronic cyanide exposure in humans have yet to be fully elucidated. Meanwhile, the local health and development actors are facing immediate, unfamiliar challenges. The aim of this study was to deepen the understanding of cyanide exposure pathways, potential human exposure and associated health effects in ASGM communities in order to tailor health promotion and sustainable development recommendations for local actors. In April and May 2017, a cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in three ASGM sites in Burkina Faso. Three exposure groups were included: (i) miners using cyanide; (ii) miners who do not use cyanide; and (iii) ASGM community members not directly involved in mining. A questionnaire was administered to all study participants, followed by a finger prick blood sample to determine blood lactate level as a proxy indicator for cyanide exposure. Overall, 279 individuals participated (99 cyanide-using miners, 90 non-cyanide using miners and 90 community members not involved in mining activities). Mean blood lactate levels were significantly higher in miners using cyanide (4.7 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.8–5.6 mmol/L), compared to non-cyanide using miners (3.4 mmol/L, 95% CI 2.9–3.7 mmol/L) and other community members not involved in mining activities (2.8 mmol/L, 95% CI 2.4–3.2 mmol/L). Multiple linear regression found loss of short-term memory reported by participants associated with higher blood lactate level. In view of our findings, we conclude that the use of cyanide in Burkina Faso’s ASGM sector is associated with potential negative health effects. Hence, specific public health interventions are warranted, such as raising awareness among miners of the risks of cyanide use, promotion of protective measures and strengthening of health sector capacities to recognize and manage mining-related health issues and law enforcement.

Artisanal Gold Mining and Farming: Livelihood Linkages and Labour Dynamics after Land Reforms in Zimbabwe

While the rural development consequences of Zimbabwe’s Fast Track Land Reform Programme have been heavily debated, there is a dearth of literature focusing on the post-land reform inter-relations between artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) and farming. This article discusses the growing ASGM sector, encapsulated by the phrase ‘mari yaputika’/‘gold has detonated’, examining the impacts of ‘liberating’ mineral resources in farming areas previously inaccessible to the rural poor. Drawing on research in Mhondoro Ngezi District, we argue for more subtle understandings of smallholder farming/ASGM linkages in relation to changing labour and class dynamics, challenging accounts that under-recognise the multifaceted interconnectedness of artisanal mining and farming.

Phasing Out Mercury? Ecological Economics and Indonesia's Small-Scale Gold Mining Sector

This article uses an ecological economics approach to analyse tensions surrounding efforts to phase out mercury in Indonesia's artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector, among the largest sources of mercury pollution worldwide. Many scholars and environmental activists have long hoped that global restrictions in mercury trade would drive up mercury prices and decrease mercury use and pollution in ASGM. However, in Indonesia, despite global mercury trade restrictions, recent increases in domestic mercury supplies through new cinnabar mining developments have made mercury less expensive and more available, destabilizing efforts at reducing mercury use. This article discusses implications of domestic cinnabar mining for controlling mercury in Indonesia's ASGM sector, highlighting obstacles to implementing the Minamata Convention, a treaty that aims to restrict mercury use. We link discussion of mercury mining to other socioeconomic processes, labour relations and power dynamics shaping mercury use in gold mining and hindering collectivised mercury-free technology uptake. Examining new evidence regarding the social metabolism of a changing extractive economy, we underscore why an integrated ecological economics paradigm – carefully grounding analysis in the context of local labour situations – is needed to challenge assumptions and inform new strategies for mercury reduction/elimination in ASGM.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Senegal: Livelihoods, Customary Authority, and Formalization

ABSTRACTIn Sub-Saharan Africa, efforts to formalize the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector under legal frameworks and to improve its environmental and health practices have largely failed as a result of top-down policy measures that make change complicated and burdensome for low-resource miners. Using evidence from a case study of the ASGM sector within areas of Senegal, this article demonstrates that ASGM has become an important source of income for many traditionally agricultural rural populations. The findings point toward the embedded nature of ASGM within customary management structures in Senegal, and demonstrate that customary authority is an important component of ASGM operations and development, and should be recognized and integrated into innovative formalization policies and better practices initiatives.

Analysis of Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining Sector in West Sumbawa Regency, Indonesia.

Background.The high value of gold reserves in West Sumbawa Regency (WSR) and West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia has resulted in an increase in small-scale gold mining activity in this area. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is an attractive alternative livelihood for rural workers because it has good potential to improve the wealth of a community. Miners need very little training to mine gold and the transition from traditional farming or fishing is easy to make. However, the key environmental consequence of ASGM in West Sumbawa is the extensive use of mercury and its impact on human health.Objectives.The ASGM activity in WSR is quite recent when compared to other ASGM activity in Indonesia. The current study was conducted to better understand the lifestyle, extent of mercury exposure, and the health of people living in WSR, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia.Methods.The present study was designed as a purposive field sampling study conducted in WSR, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The subjects were miners and families from three different sites within the WSR: individuals directly exposed to mercury, indirectly exposed individuals and non-exposed individuals. Hair mercury analysis was done with all subjects. Health questionnaires, physical examinations and socio-economic surveys were conducted with exposed subjects.Results.The ASGM sector in the WSR consists of a high number of migrant workers who have a great economic impact on the local area, high mercury use, a great deal of illegal mercury trading, and a high mercury concentration (>13 mg/kg) in their hair. The results suggest that ASGM activities affect the health of exposed and indirectly exposed individuals.Conclusions.The current scale of ASGM activity in the WSR is predicted to rise. ASGM activities in the WSR is an important challenge that needs to be addressed.