Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining Research Articles

Evaluating Policy and Legal Challenges in the Legalisation of Artisanal Small Scale Gold Mining in West Kalimantan

Evaluating Policy and Legal Challenges in the Legalisation of Artisanal Small Scale Gold Mining in West Kalimantan

Ecohydrological risk assessment model for the Pra River Basin using GIS and multi-criteria decision making

ABSTRACT The Pra River Basin in Ghana is a major source of ecological, cultural, and economic benefits. However, it has been experiencing degradation, and logistical constraints have limited the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management. This study presents a GIS-based ecohydrological risk model that identifies ecohydrological units with the highest degradation risk. First, the PRB was divided into 25 eco-hydrological units. Second, seven drivers of degradation were identified and mapped. The drivers were reclassified into five categories with risk scores of 1–5, with 5 indicating higher risk scores. The variables were ranked using the Analytical Hierarchy Process, the degradation risk model was calculated using the weighted sum method, and the multi-criteria decision tool was used to identify the ecohydrological units with the highest degradation risk. Of the 25 ecohydrological units delineated, the Buama, Lower Offin, Ayensu, and Oda ecohydrological units were found to be at the highest risk of degradation due to high artisanal small-scale gold mining, high population density, low forest/vegetation cover, and high encroachment in waterways. The results can be used as a guide to prioritize management intervention, starting with the areas classified as high risk and moving down to those classified as moderate risk.

‘New mining scheme, same old problems?’; risk factors and health challenges in underground community mining in Ghana

Abstract Ghana’s small-scale mining sector has long been a cornerstone of its economy and a vital source of livelihood for many communities. However, the sector is plagued by significant challenges, including environmental degradation, health and safety risks, and illegal practices. In response, the Ghanaian government introduced the Community Mining Scheme (CMS), a new mining model designed to promote local community participation in artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM). This study examines the workplace risk factors and associated health challenges faced by ASGM miners under the CMS, drawing on interviews with fifty underground CMS miners in Ghana. Our findings reveal that miners continue to face numerous health and safety challenges, including inadequate lighting, poor ventilation, exposure to noise and odors, unsupported or poorly supported loose materials, non-use of personal protective equipment, high dust levels, and unsafe blasting practices. Additionally, health concerns such as skin rashes, musculoskeletal injuries, and the risk of mercury poisoning persist. These challenges mirror those reported in the literature on unregulated and illegal ASGM in Ghana, indicating that existing issues remain unresolved under the CMS. To prevent the undermining of this initiative, it is crucial to adopt progressive practices, such as localized coping strategies and the recruitment of trained professionals to lead ASGM operations within the CMS. Enhancing miners’ risk perception through targeted outreach and awareness campaigns is also essential. Further recommendations for mitigating safety risks and health challenges are discussed in the article.

An analysis of the impact of CO2 emissions from deforestation and mining in Madre de Dios, Perú

The Madre de Dios Region of Peru faces significant deforestation largely due to a surge in artisanal-small scale gold mining (ASGM), propelled by rising gold prices. This study evaluates the full scope of ASGM activities on net CO2 emissions, accounting for both the deforestation that converts forests into mining territories and the emissions directly resulting from mining and transportation activities. By applying kriging to a comprehensive dataset, we determined the carbon content of the region and the annual loss of CO2 capture due to deforestation. Our analysis also incorporates emissions from the Interoceanic highway, which has contributed to the mining boom. The findings indicate a total net CO2 emission of 429.9 Gigagrams (Gg) per year, underscoring the critical environmental challenge these activities pose. Our study highlights the need for immediate and effective reclamation efforts, including reforestation with indigenous carbon-rich trees, as a counterbalance to the environmental damage inflicted. These efforts are essential to mitigate the adverse impacts and support the global movement towards net-zero emissions.

Mercury Contamination from Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining Activities in Simpenan District, Sukabumi Regency, West Java, Indonesia

Mercury is still used in the amalgamation process in small-scale gold processing. This study aims to evaluate the mercury contamination of various environmental media in the artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) area in the Simpenan District, Sukabumi Regency. The ecological media examined in this study included groundwater, river water, soil, sediment, biota, and plants. The threshold number was determined using APHA 3125 and Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 7387:2009. Meanwhile, the mercury concentration in the ambient air was measured directly using a mercury analyser. Mercury concentrations in the water, soil, sediment, biota, and plant matrices were calculated using a calibration curve. The study found that the levels of mercury in groundwater, river water, and sediment were all below the applicable quality standards of <0.0001, <0.0001 and 0.001 mg/L, respectively. However, the levels of mercury in soil and plants were 27.28 and 0.52 mg/kg, respectively. Additionally, the levels of mercury in four types of fish found in a river adjacent to the ASGM location, namely beunteur (0.33 mg/kg), snakehead (0.05 mg/kg), catfish (0.26 mg/kg) and eel (0.20 mg/kg), exceeded the specified quality standards. In conclusion, mercury contamination is present in the soil, plants, and aquatic biota (fish) in the ASGM area in the Simpenan District, Sukabumi Regency.

Impact of Artisanal Gold Mining in Community Conserved Areas with High Biodiversity Using a Multi-Criteria Approach: A Case Study in Colombia

Artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) using mercury affects community agreements for the conservation of forests (CoS) and lakes (CoH), which have a high level of biodiversity in the Peasant Reserve Zone of the Cimitarra River Valley (ZRC-VRC) in Colombia. In this research, a multi-criteria approach (MCA) was applied to analyze the impact of ASGM. This analysis is based on the community environmental agreements to preserve CoS and CoH areas, the ecological importance of these areas, as well as the results of mercury dispersion in the Cimitarra river basin, with concentrations found 40 km downstream of the mining area of 0.09 µgTHg L−1 in the Cimitarra river, 0.07 µgTHg L−1 in the CoH, and 0.01 mgTHg kg−1 in the tissues of macrophytes, as well as the increase in deforestation since 2020 in the CoS, due to a 1.8% (990 ha) loss of forest cover, with 693 ha of the forest cover loss coinciding with areas related to the opening of new mines. The MCA showed that the main impact is found within the criterion Social and armed conflict, followed by Deforestation. This research offers recommendations to reduce impact scores, such as the implementation of a sustainable development plan (PDS) of the ZRC-VRC, and it highlights the urgent need to safeguard the community conservation areas.

Adapted Sequential Extraction Protocol to Study Mercury Speciation in Gold Mining Tailings: Implications for Environmental Contamination in the Amazon.

Artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM), an increasingly prevalent activity in South America, generates mercury-contaminated tailings that are often disposed of in the environment, leading to the introduction of mercury into ecosystems and the food web, where it bioaccumulates. Therefore, studying the geochemical processes involved in the desorption and dissolution of mercury in these tailings is essential for critical risk evaluations in the short and long term. For this purpose, sequential extraction procedures (SEPs) can be useful because they help to identify the phases to which Hg is associated, although they also have limitations such as a lack of selectivity and specificity. In this work, we propose a modified four-step SEP: exchangeable mercury (F1), oxidizable mercury (F2), mercury bound to Fe oxides (F3), and strongly bound mercury (F4). To test this adapted sequential extraction method, we evaluated the Hg contamination in mercury-contaminated tailings of the Amazon basin. The results revealed a total mercury concentration of 103 ± 16 mg·kg-1 in the tailings, with a significant portion in F1 (28% of the total), where Hg was bioavailable. The large Hg concentration in F3 (36%) suggested that Fe oxides likely contribute to mercury retention. Together, the SEP results emphasize the urgent need for improved surveillance of gold mining activities and responsible tailings management practices to mitigate environmental contamination and safeguard the health of the Amazon ecosystem.

Artisanal gold mining in guinea and security concerns

One of the continents richest in gold reserves is Africa. According to the World Bank, about 20 % of gold in African countries is still mined using artisanal methods. There is no officially recognized, generally accepted definition of artisanal small-scale gold mining. In essence, artisanal or small-scale gold mining is a labor-intensive, financially and technologically underdeveloped gold mining activity. Artisanal gold mining can be either informal, illegal, without state permission, or formal (legalized, streamlined). In the modern world, artisanal mining in African countries is experiencing rapid growth after their liberation from colonial oppression. The paper examines the environmental costs or ecological footprint of artisanal gold mining, such as: mercury intoxication of ecosystems, gold miners and local populations; deforestation, destruction of ecosystems; pollution of watercourses; industrial injuries and occupational diseases of gold miners; crime and social instability. Practical recommendations for improving safety are given.

Cyanidation of tailings in artisanal small-scale gold mining at Arbaat Region in Red Sea State, Sudan

In this research, the processing of gold from artisanal small-scale gold mining was investigated by cyanidation using an agitation process. The sample's characterization shows that the silicate mineral exhibits the sample mineralogy, according to the results of the XRD examination. In XRF analysis, the mineralogical and chemical structure shows 77.1% SiO2, 8.08% Al2O3, 5.76% Fe2O3, 1.67% CaO, 0.97% K2O, 0.054% As2O3, 1.1% Na2O, 0.392% SO3, 0.454% TiO2, 0.049% MnO and 0.005% ZrO. The parameters of the experiments were stirring speed, NaCN concentration, solid-liquid ratio, temperature, and pH. The purpose of gold leaching in artisanal small-scale gold mining at Arbaat region is to find the appropriate conditions that will ensure maximum recovery. It was found that the gold dissolution decreases with increasing solid ratio. Furthermore, the cyanide concentration positively influences the range of 0.05–0.5 g/L. It is seen that the dissolution rate increases with the range of pH 10-10.30, while it starts to incline at pH after 10.30. However, the temperature and agitation speed have a significant effect on the gold dissolution. Cyanidation tests revealed that it is easy to apply the cyanidation process and recover about 87.52% Au content from the tailings of artisanal small-scale gold mining. The obtained recovery indicates the commercial and economic viability of the process that will be applied to extract Au from artisanal small-scale gold mining tailings in Arbaat.

Contribution to a Sustainable Society: Biosorption of Precious Metals Using the Microalga Galdieria.

The red microalga Galdieria sp. is an extremophile that inhabits acidic hot sulphur springs and grows heterotrophically to a high cell density. These characteristics make Galdieria suitable for commercial applications as stable mass production is the key to success in the algae business. Galdieria has great potential as a precious metal adsorbent to provide a sustainable, efficient and environmentally benign method for urban mining and artisanal small-scale gold mining. The efficiency and selectivity in capturing precious metals, gold and palladium from metal solutions by a Galdieria-derived adsorbent was assessed relative to commercially used adsorbents, ion exchange resin and activated charcoal. As it is only the surface of Galdieria cells that affect metal adsorption, the cell content was analysed to determine the manner of utilisation of those metabolites. Galdieria was shown to be protein-rich and contain beneficial metabolites, the levels of which could shift depending on the growth conditions. Separating the cell content from the adsorbent could improve the adsorption efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions during the metal collection process. The commercial applications of Galdieria appear promising: growth is quick and dense; the precious metal adsorption capacity is highly efficient and selective in acidic conditions, especially at low metal concentrations; and the cell content is nutrient-rich.

Poisoned for gold: Assessing the spatial extent of heavy metal contamination within the Tutua-Bura-Angoben Shelter Belt Forest Reserve in Ghana

The Tutua-Bura-Angoben Shelter Belt project in Ghana, aimed at combating desertification and land degradation, faces an unexpected threat from heavy metal contamination. This study investigates the levels and spatial distribution of arsenic (As), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) within the forest reserve, focusing on the implications for environmental health and sustainable development goals (SDGs). Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), 195 soil samples from the forest reserve were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations. The results reveal significant contamination, with arsenic levels ranging from 3.19 to 138.63 ppm, and an alarming 26 % of the reserve exceeding the 20 ppm threshold for arsenic. Copper, lead, and zinc showed lower contamination levels, with mean concentrations of 13.83 ppm, 7.63 ppm, and 27.53 ppm, respectively. Spatial interpolation using kriging in ArcGIS highlighted localized hotspots of arsenic contamination, primarily influenced by nearby Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) activities. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted environmental management strategies, including stricter waste management protocols, sustainable mining practices, and community engagement to mitigate the contamination risks and preserve the ecological integrity of the Tutua-Bura-Angoben Shelter Belt.

Soil and environment quality in artisanal small-scale mining areas in western Côte d’Ivoire

Artisanal small-scale gold mining activities grow in different regions of Côte d’Ivoire, causing enormous soil and environmental damages. This study was conducted in the vicinity of illegal artisanal small-scale gold mining zones to investigate soil quality using environmental assessment tools, mainly pollution and geochemical accumulation indexes. The mining spoil from artisanal pits was sampled directly between 0 and 20 cm, collecting 500 g of soil per sampling point. Sub-samples of soil were analyzed for multi-element using X-ray fluorescence technique. The results of the XRF analysis revealed higher trace element levels at some sampling points than the recommended levels. High arsenic concentrations were identified at three sampling sites: cavally sites with 7.09 and 16.08 mg kg-1 and Zérégbo with 9.57 mg kg-1. Moreover, significant concentrations of Cu and Pb were found at the Cavally site whilst Singouiné and Zérégbo showed high concentrations of Co and Cr. The study, globally, revealed the environmental hazards caused by the organized artisanal mining.

Mercury bioaccumulation in bats in Madre de Dios, Peru: implications for Hg bioindicators for tropical ecosystems impacted by artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

Mercury (Hg) endangers human and wildlife health globally, primarily due to its release from artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM). During gold extraction, Hg is emitted into the environment and converted to highly toxic methylmercury by microorganisms. In Madre de Dios (MDD), Peru, ASGM dominates the economy and has transformed rainforests into expansive deforested areas punctuated by abandoned mining ponds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of bats as bioindicators for mercury pollution intensity in tropical terrestrial ecosystems impacted by ASGM. We collected 290 bat fur samples from three post-ASGM sites and one control site in Madre de Dios. Our results showed a wide Hg distribution in bats (0.001 to 117.71 mg/kg) strongly influenced by feeding habits. Insectivorous and piscivorous bats from ASGM sites presented elevated levels of Hg surpassing the mercury small mammal threshold for small mammals (10 mg/kg). We observed the highest reported fur mercury concentrations for insectivorous Neotropical bats reported to date (Rhynchonycteris naso, 117 mg/kg). Our findings further confirm that Hg emissions from ASGM are entering local food webs and exposing wildlife species at several trophic levels to higher levels of Hg than in areas not impacted by mining. We also found that three bat genera consistently showed increased Hg levels in ASGM sites relative to controls indicating potential usefulness as bioindicators of mercury loading in terrestrial ecosystems impacted by artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

Economic valuation of artisanal small-scale gold mining impacts: A framework for value transfer application

Illegal artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activities have serious environmental and health consequences. In this study, we developed a framework for calculating the economic costs associated with the negative environmental and social impacts of ASGM in the Brazilian Amazon. Based on a literature review on impact valuations of deforestation, land degradation, and mercury contamination, we used multiple parameters to develop a generalizable value transfer formula. The formula relates input variables, such as mining site area, pit depth, gold extraction productivity, and other context variables (population density, per capita income, average daily fish consumption, and transportation cost for restoration) to calculate the average monetary values associated with the impact. Additionally, we propose an enhancement to the model used by Bakker et al. (2021) for estimating mercury impacts on human health. Our findings show that values associated with social and environmental damage range from US$ 187,200 to US$ 389,200 per kilogram of gold, which is mostly attributable to health outcomes related to mercury contamination, which represents more than twice the market value of gold. Furthermore, we conducted a case study for the Tapajós Basin, which revealed that the socioeconomic costs generated by 4,547 ha of alluvial ASGM in the basin surpasses US$ 1 billion for the year 2020.

Does the use of cocoa farmlands for artisanal small-scale gold mining really increase household food insecurity? Evidence from Ghana

In recent years, the use of cocoa farmlands for artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in mineral rich countries in sub-Saharan Africa has been on ascendency. Previous studies have examined the environmental, health and livelihood implications of the land use decision. Notably, studies on the indirect effects of the food security implications of the nexus between ASGM and agriculture abounds but limited attention has been given to the direct effect of using farmlands for ASGM on household food security. Using a primary cross-sectional data on 400 cocoa farmers in the Amansie West District of Ghana and an endogenous switching regression model, this study analyzes the impact of using cocoa farmlands for ASGM on household-specific food security indicators. The study finds that farmers who use their farmlands for ASGM; 1) increase their household food insecurity, 2) increase their household dietary diversity, but in the short-run due to income effect, 3) increase their inability to use effective coping mechanisms to fight household food insecurity. Policy efforts geared toward the use of farmlands for ASGM to address food insecurity among smallholder farmers in mineral-rich countries in sub-Saharan Africa should focus on: 1) reducing liquidity constraints of smallholder cocoa farmers, 2) promoting stakeholder-driven productivity enhancing interventions, and 3) creating attractive policy environments for the youth to enter into farming.

Environment Degradation, Health Threats, and Legality at the Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in Indonesia.

Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) activities, despite offering numerous economic incentives, inflict negative impacts on the environment and public health due to the use of mercury or cyanide. This study aims to compare three ASGM locations in Indonesia in terms of environmental impacts and potential health problems in the community. As part of this research, field surveys at three ASGM illegal locations with different conditions, observations, literature studies, and interviews with the community and stakeholders were conducted. At each of the survey sites, the potential threat to public health due to the use of mercury was determined to be high. Additionally, many of the environmental impacts detected were deemed to have reached a high-alert stage, in some cases even posing a level of extreme danger. Based on these results, it has become clear that a form of mining management which reduces the negative impacts on the surrounding environment and community health is needed. The suggestions put forward in this paper, including the call for greater control of ASGM, may also be applied in other developing countries which suffer from similar problems and conditions.

Mapping the Reality of Hg-Free Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining

Artisanal gold mining (AGM) is a very important topic, of which the environmental and social impact has been widely studied. However, there are few studies on operational efficiency, financial analysis, and the lack of mine planning. The purpose of this work was to investigate whether AGM operation without mercury is sustainable. The following parameters were analyzed in the case study: the general situation, interaction with the company that owns the area, production, drilling and blasting, loading and transport, freight to the centralized plant, workforce, materials and supplies, geological control planning and the relationship with the processing plant. Even without the mercury variable, AGM was found to be unsustainable. The lack of planning and operational inefficiency did not allow for continuous operation. The results of this research provide guidance on the future steps the current government and society should take to achieve sustainable AGM.

Dental Amalgam and the Minamata Convention on Mercury Treaty: Make Mercury History for All

Mercury, known as the most toxic non-radioactive element to man, poses a significant threat to all living beings and the environment in all its forms. As a global pollutant, it demands urgent attention and effective measures to mitigate its toxic effects. The Minamata Convention on Mercury Treaty, adopted in 2013 and enforced in 2017, stands as a vital instrument in combating this pervasive toxin. Presently, 144 countries have ratified the treaty, embodying the collective commitment to the mantra "Make Mercury History." As countries work diligently to eliminate mercury from various products and processes, such as thermometers, batteries, lighting, and cosmetics, dental amalgam remains a notable concern. Being one of the top mercury-containing products globally, dental amalgam has drawn attention for its phasedown approach within the treaty. The dental sector alone accounts for an estimated 340 tonnes of mercury usage each year. Alarmingly, mercury derived from dental amalgam infiltrates the black market, ultimately entering the artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector, the primary source of global mercury pollution. Furthermore, dental amalgam plays a significant role in municipal wastewater mercury contamination, as it has been identified as the largest source of this toxic element in such environments. Considering its pervasive nature, diverse pathways of contamination, and its ability to bioaccumulate in both humans and the environment, it is evident that the toxic legacy of dental amalgam will persist long after the placement of the last amalgam filling. The pressing issue of mercury toxicity makes it imperative for action to be taken through the Minamata Convention on Mercury Treaty. As we strive to "Make Mercury History" for the well-being of all living organisms, mercury dental amalgam must be proactively addressed to prevent its continued contribution to global mercury pollution.

Rural Knowledge Transformation in Terms of Mercury Used in Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM)-A Case Study in Gorontalo, Indonesia.

Gorontalo is reputed to be one of the best-quality gold producers in the Indonesian archipelago. Gold production has been largely achieved through the activities of artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM), which as part of its extraction process, primarily uses mercury-a substance known to cause negative impacts on health and the environment, leading also to numerous socio-economic issues. This research aims (1) to investigate the extent of rural knowledge regarding mercury and to determine whether a video that explains mercury and the problems that occur as a result of ASGM can significantly transform rural populations' knowledge; (2) to inspect different factors separating the SR group (those who live in the same regency as the ASGM area) from the NR group (those who live in the neighboring regency/city of the ASGM area) and to find out whether said factors are statistically significant. The results show that the test subjects' knowledge of mercury had increased after watching the video, and that their willingness to oppose ASGM activities is one of the significant factors within the two groups. Moreover, this paper briefly describes the follow-up activities of the SRIREP project (Co-creation of Sustainable Regional Innovation for Reducing Risk of High-impact Environmental Pollution) in encouraging rural communities to explore sustainable livelihoods as an alternative to ASGM.

Determination of Cyanide Concentration Levels in Surface Water and Soil from Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining Villages at Chunya, Mbeya - Tanzania

This study aimed to determine levels of cyanide (CN) pollution in the soil and surface water at selected mining sites of Mbeya region. A total of (n = 124) samples were collected and analyzed by spectrophotometry. The cyanide levels of soil-based samples and water-based samples at Mwasenga, and Ifumbo mining sites were above the permissible limits. This was due to poor disposal of tailing from the gold processing plants and mismanagement of wastewater. On the other hand, the Cyanide was within the allowable limit for both soil and water at Godima, Itewe, Ashishira and Nyatula mining sites. This was attributed by proper management of wastewater by using artificial tanks, ponds and trenches. Also, it was observed that there is a mobility of cyanide from the processing mining site, if the tailings and wastewater are not well managed. The concentration of cyanide in the soil and water samples of about 2 mg/L was observed at distance of more than 70 m from the processing plant at Mwasenga, the situation is even worse at Ifumbo, where the cyanide concentration in soil and water were about 25 and 8 mg/L respectively, at a distance of more than 50 m from processing plant