Gold Mining Activities Research Articles

Analisis Pengaruh Kapur Tohor (CaO) dan Tawas Terhadap Parameter TSS dan pH di Desa Huta Dame Kecamatan Penyabungan Utara Kabupaten Mandailing Natal

The people's gold mining activities in Huta Dame Village, Kotanopan Utara District, Mandailing Natal are still very simple. The purpose of this study was to analyze the TSS and pH parameters around the gold mining area so that they comply with quality standards. This research method is by interviews and direct observation to the field. The results of the analysis showed that the quality of acid mine drainage before treatment was 4.26 and after the addition of quicklime in 1 gram it was still acidic but in the addition of quicklime in the 65th minute (3 grams) a pH of 6.02 was obtained and it met the quality standard. The addition of 1 and 3 grams of alum is still acidic and this can cause the air in the mining environment to be corrosive due to the large amount of heavy metals originating from rocks which can cause environmental damage, due to excessive use of mercury resulting in the emergence of acid mine drainage. The addition of 1 and 3 grams of quicklime, TSS values 48 & 38 mg/l . The TSS values for the addition of 1 & 3 grams of alum were 20 & 28 mg/l and met the quality standards. Thus the use of quicklime in gold mining waste is more effective than the use of alum as an acid mine drainage treatment method.

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.

A global rise in alluvial mining increases sediment load in tropical rivers.

Increasing gold and mineral mining activity in rivers across the global tropics has degraded ecosystems and threatened human health1,2. Such river mineral mining involves intensive excavation and sediment processing in river corridors, altering river form and releasing excess sediment downstream2. Increased suspended sediment loads can reduce water clarity and cause siltation to levels that may result in disease and mortality in fish3,4, poor water quality5 and damage to human infrastructure6. Although river mining has been investigated at local scales, no global synthesis of its physical footprint and impacts on hydrologic systems exists, leaving its full environmental consequences unknown. We assemble and analyse a 37-year satellite database showing pervasive, increasing river mineral mining worldwide. We identify 396 mining districts in 49 countries, concentrated in tropical waterways that are almost universally altered by mining-derived sediment. Of 173 mining-affected rivers, 80% have suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs) more than double pre-mining levels. In 30 countries in which mining affects large (>50 m wide) rivers, 23 ± 19% of large river length is altered by mining-derived sediment, a globe-spanning effect representing 35,000 river kilometres, 6% (±1% s.e.) of all large tropical river reaches. Our findings highlight the ubiquity and intensity of mining-associated degradation in tropical river systems.

Effect of cow manure mon the growth of water spinach in gold mine tailing

Gold mining activities produce abundant tailings waste. The negative impacts of tailing pollution on agriculture include soil profile loss, soil compaction, depletion of essential nutrients, organic matter, and soil pH, making it difficult for plants to grow. Cow manure (CM) is a well-known soil amendment to improve soil quality and facilitate root growth. Animal manure fertilizers contain a complete range of macro and micronutrients required by plants. In addition to its ability to enhance soil fertility, CM can also promote plant growth in former mining areas or mineral tailings. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of CM application rates on water spinach plant growth improvement. The experimental design used was a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with four treatments and six replications. The experimental treatments consisted of a control (without treatment), 10 t ha-1, 20 t ha-1, and 30 t ha-1 of CM. The results of the experiment showed that CM application increased plant height, leaf count, stem diameter, and wet weight of water spinach plants. The application of 10 t ha-1 CM showed the highest growth improvement in terms of plant height, leaf count, stem diameter, and wet weight of plants grown in gold mining tailings compared to other treatments. This experiment highlights the importance of CM for water spinach cultivation in tailing areas.

Total Mercury Content in the Tissues of Freshwater Chelonium (Podocnemis expansa) and a Human Health Risk Assessment for the Amazon Population in Brazil.

Researchers recognize the silent, negative and deleterious effects caused by mercury pollution in gold mining areas. Freshwater turtles are culturally part of the diet of riverside populations in the Amazon region and this area presents mercury (Hg) pollution issues mainly due to gold mining activities. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the total mercury (THg) content in the different organs of Amazonian giant river turtle (Podocnemis expansa) and carry out a human health risk assessment associated with the consumption of these animals. This study was conducted in the Vila Balbina, municipality of Presidente Figueiredo, state of Amazonas, Brazil. Skin (n = 28), muscle (n = 19) and brain (n = 2) samples were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (TDA-AAS) and a DMA-80™ mercury analyzer was used for the total mercury determinations. The average values found for THg in the skin, muscle and brain samples were, respectively, 0.1045 mg·kg-1, 0.1092 mg·kg-1 and 0.0601 mg·kg-1. Thus, THg was observed even though the P. expansa were kept in captivity, possibly due to previous contamination by air, water and food. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) was calculated considering a 9.07 g·day-1 intake dose of P. expansa and the consumption of turtles once a week showed an HQ = 2.45, which may cause long-term injuries to human health. Although the muscle concentrations were below the maximum limit established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Brazilian regulatory agencies, it is important to evaluate consumption factors such as amount ingested, frequency and animal gender, which may cause a potential risk to regular consumers due to mercury bioaccumulation. The WHO may consider various aspects in order to warn the Amazon population about the severity and silent hazard of this metal, especially due to the importance of this matrix in the region. This region urgently needs government actions to inhibit clandestine mining and to prevent future serious, chronic health problems of the entire population.

Ecological and human health risk from exposure to contaminated sediments in a tropical river impacted by gold mining in Colombia

Despite being one of the most important tropical biomes in the world, the Atrato River basin has experienced a critical ecological deterioration due to gold mining, posing a significant threat to wildlife and human health. In this study, we measured the concentrations of mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) in sediments at various swamps within the basin. Classical indices were employed to assess the associated ecological and human health risks linked to exposure to these elements. The concentrations of Hg and As in the sediments ranged between 0.09 and 0.23 mg/kg and 0.59–2.68 mg/kg, respectively. The highest Hg values were found at upstream stations impacted by gold mining activities. For As, the highest levels were found near river mouth (except for station B), where agricultural practices are taken place. The contamination factor (CF) indicated that most of the sediments exhibited moderate contamination levels of Hg and As, depending on the specific sampling area. Conversely, the pollution load index (PLI) suggested a contamination level ranging from basic to moderate, with the exception of station B, which showed a progressive deterioration of the site. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) indicated that the sediments were moderately contaminated with Hg, while showing signs of increasing contamination for As. According to the criteria for limiting effect concentrations (TEC), Hg concentrations exceeded the TEC at stations B and C, indicating a potential toxic risk to aquatic biota. A moderate potential ecological risk (PERI) was detected at downstream stations (D and E), and a high risk was detected at upstream stations (A, B and C). The hazard index (HI), used for non-carcinogenic risk assessment, suggested a risk of adverse effects on the population, particularly in children, with HI values exceeding 1. However, all lifetime cancer risk (TLCR) values fell within the acceptable range (1 × 10−6 to 1 × 10−4), indicating a negligible risk. Oral ingestion and inhalation were identified as the two primary routes of concern. This study serves as a valuable reference for risk assessment regarding exposures to environmental matrices that may not pose an immediate risk to human health.

STUDI MODAL SOSIAL PADA PENAMBANG EMAS TRADISONAL DI KELURAHAN MUARA BAKANON

The background of this research is related to the existence of traditional gold mining activities carried out by the people of Muara Bakanon village on the Barito river, by looking at the Social Capital they use during mining activities. This study aims to find out how Social Capital is used by miners in carrying out traditional gold mining activities in Muara Bakanon Village. The method used in this research is descriptive-qualitative to provide a detailed description based on the facts found. The results of the findings in the field found that Social Capital in the form of values, norms, beliefs and social networks plays an important role in supporting relationships and relationships between miners during mining activities. If the Social Capital was not used during mining activities, perhaps this traditional gold mining would not survive until now and the relations and solidarity of the miners would not be formed in it.

Hydrogeochemistry and Mercury Contamination of Surface Water in the Lom Gold Basin (East Cameroon): Water Quality Index, Multivariate Statistical Analysis and Spatial Interpolation

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining activities have an impact on natural resources and human health. This study addresses the assessment of surface water quality in the Lom gold basin. A combined approach of water quality index calculation, multivariate statistical analysis and spatial interpolation was used. Sampling was performed at 15 stations during low- and high-water periods in 2021 for classical physicochemical parameters and total mercury measurements. The results show that the physicochemical parameters were below drinking water standards for both periods, except for pH, total suspended solids and total mercury. These waters show a large cation deficit as well as an anion deficit. The water chemistry is controlled by precipitations and silicate dissolutions in rock that convert the water into the Ca-HCO3 and Ca-Mg-HCO3 types. The level of mercury contamination varied from acceptable to high due to high flow rates during high water that cause a dilution effect for the mercury concentration upstream and its accumulation downstream. The water quality varied from excellent to very poor with better quality during the high-water period. The Lom watershed is locally affected by physical and chemical pollution due to the abundance of suspended solids and mercury resulting from the different gold mining activities.

Illegal mining impacts on freshwater Potamonautid crab in a subtropical Austral highland biosphere reserve

The contamination of surface water by heavy metals, especially mercury, has become a global issue. This problem is particularly exacerbated in rivers and reservoirs situated in developing nations. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential contamination effects of illegal gold mining activities on freshwater Potamonautid crabs and to quantify the mercury levels in 49 river sites under three land use classes: communal areas, national parks and timber plantations. We used a combination of field sampling, multivariate analysis and geospatial tools to quantify mercury concentrations in relation to crab abundances. Illegal mining was prevalent throughout the three land use classes, with mercury (Hg) being detected in 35 sites (71.5 %). The mean range of Hg concentrations detected across the three–land uses was: communal areas 0–0.1 mg kg−1, national parks 0–0.3 mg kg−1 and timber plantations 0–0.06 mg kg−1. Mean Hg geo–accumulation index values showed strong to extreme contamination in the national park, with strong contamination observed for communal areas and timber plantations; furthermore, the enrichment factor for Hg concentrations in the communal and national park areas showed extremely high enrichment. Two crab species (i.e., Potamonautes mutareensis, Potamonautes unispinus) were found in the Chimanimani area, with P. mutareensis being the dominant taxon in the region across all the three land use areas. The national parks had higher total crab abundances than communal and timber plantation areas. We observed negative and significant K, Fe, Cu and B effects on total Potamonautid crab abundances, but surprisingly not for other metals such as Hg which might reflect their widespread pollution. Thus, illegal mining was observed to impact the river system, having a serious impact on the crab abundance and habitat quality. Overall, the findings of this study underscores the need to address the issue of illegal mining within the developing world as well as to establish concerted effort from all stakeholders (e.g., government, mining companies, local communities, and civil society groups) to help protect the less charismatic and understudied taxa. In addition, addressing illegal mining and protecting understudied taxa aligns with the SDGs (e.g. SDG 14/15-life below water/life on land) and contributes to global efforts to safeguard biodiversity and promote sustainable development.

Protection of the Customary Land of the Baduy Indigenous Peoples as One of the Supporting Factors for Local Food Security in the Banten Region

<p><em>The Baduy indigenous people as one of the ethnic groups in Indonesia have various unique and diverse cultural characteristics. The ethnic groups in Banten for hundreds of years have had their main livelihood, namely farming (ngahuma) and gardening to maintain survival in obtaining food so that this ngahuma is a form of food security for the Baduy indigenous people. Some of the Baduy's ulayat land is used for ngahuma and gardening. Recently, there has been an abuse of Baduy ulayat land by some irresponsible people. Mursyid's father as a traditional leader of the Inner Baduy does not agree with the existence of illegal gold mining around the Baduy area. This will disturb the land and forest ecosystems, especially since these customary rights are in the upstream area which will certainly cause negative things for the Baduy people. The gold mining will cause negative things for the environmental ecosystem in the Baduy area and even threaten the forests protected by the government. Baduy rejects the existence of gold mining if foreign companies exploit it. The expression of one of the Baduy community leaders, "We are the trust of our ancestors, bisi ayeuna Gunung kalebur lebak karuksak karobah great-grandmother, ayeuna proof of Mount Liman menta tulung, menta guarded really I pamarentah".This study describes the exploitation of gold mining around the customary rights area in the Baduy area as well as legal protection efforts from the government for the abuse of the customary rights residential area of </em><em></em><em>the Baduy Indigenous People.The long-term goal to be achieved from this research is to obtain an overview of the current condition of the customary lands of the Baduy people inside and outside the Baduy so that the government can take a stand, help maintain and prevent gold mining activities in the area of </em><em></em><em>customary rights of Baduy from being disturbed. outsiders.The specific target to be achieved from this research is to ensure that the Baduy community can use food land for ngahuma and gardening to the maximum so that the food security of the Baduy indigenous peoples is maintained.This research uses normative juridical and sociological normative legal research methods. This research is descriptive analytical and uses primary data sources and secondary data sources. Descriptive in this study is a description of the situation, condition, condition, and reality of ulayat land or customary land in the Baduy community which is misused by irresponsible elements so that it has a major impact on the food security of the Baduy community. Then analyze what the problem is in order to find a solution to the problem. Sources of data used in this study were obtained from Library Research (Library Research). Normative Jurisdiction in this study is a discussion of several existing regulations. Sociological Normative Research on law constructs law as a system of laws and regulations that have existed so far and then constructed in a society's behavior. This study also uses primary data sources and secondary data which are analyzed using qualitative methods, with data collection techniques from library studies and field studies to the Inner Baduy and Outer Baduy. Interviews and observations were conducted to obtain the necessary data. The data obtained through field research and literature study were analyzed in a qualitative normative manner to obtain clarity on the problems to be discussed.</em></p>

An assessment of the impact of illegal artisanal gold mining on the environment in parts of Chewore Safari Area, Northern Zimbabwe

Illegal artisanal gold mining threatens biodiversity conservation within protected areas. The objectives of this study were to: (i) assess the environmental impacts of illegal artisanal gold mining in Chewore Safari Area (CSA) and (ii) assess trends in illegal artisanal gold mining within CSA, northern Zimbabwe. A mixed methods approach was used to collect data (i) from law enforcement records kept at CSA focusing on the period 2014 to 2021, and (ii) from field visits to areas affected by illegal artisanal gold mining. The study found that there was a gold rush into CSA with many people from the adjacent communities being arrested and prosecuted in the year 2014. A gradual decline trend in illegal gold mining activities was observed. Equipment or tools were confiscated from illegal miners including gold metal detectors. Site observations indicated destructive gold mining practices associated with visible land degradation. The study recommended increased law enforcement and awareness programmes within communities adjacent to CSA and reclamation of mined sites.

The Analysis of Mercury Concentrations of Water in Gold Mining Environment at Poboya, East Palu Subdistrict, Palu, Central Sulawesi Province

Gold mining activities influence the environment, mainly the aquatic environment, due to the heavy metal and mercury detected in settling pond and river waters. Based on laboratory analysis, it is known that Mercury concentrations in settling pond water of inlet, transition, and outlet zones respectively are 0.075 mg/L, 0.042 mg/L, and 0.027 mg/L. These are shown that mercury concentration in water was not passed Government Regulation of the Minister of Environment No. 202 the year 2004 about quality standards of liquid waste, which said that the standard is 0.005 mg/L. The Heavy metal concentrations, especially mercury in river water at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 stations respectively, are 0.004 mg/L, 0.009 mg/L, 0.050 mg/L, and 0.006 mg/L, which do not meet the government regulation of water quality standard 0.001 mg/L.

Green Gold Production from Primary and Secondary Resources

The exceptional chemical resistance of gold is a significant property of this precious metal, but it can pose challenges when it comes to gold extraction. Many metallurgical processes rely on highly aggressive or toxic reagents, and artisanal and small-scale gold mining activities, in particular, have faced criticism due to their difficult-to-control environmental impact. With growing ecological concerns, society and industry are compelled to seek efficient gold recovery methods that replace the use of mercury or cyanide. Over the past decades, extensive research has been conducted on alternative leaching reagents, showing promising technical and environmental characteristics. Various demonstration and pilot-scale application tests worldwide have provided valuable insights for potential industrial implementation. However, to date, only one industrial-scale application using the cyanide alternative thiosulfate has been reported. Apart from chlorination or aqua regia in refineries and recycling specific waste streams, there is a lack of notable industrial applications for cyanide alternatives, particularly in gold recycling from secondary resources. This is significant as it could have a substantial ecological impact by reducing the need for mining activities. For instance, electronic waste, which is increasing in volume and importance, represents a resource for gold recovery but lacks an efficient decentralized process. This work discusses the potential of cyanide alternative reagents for industrial application in gold production and recycling, while exploring various factors that contribute to the limited acceptance among gold producers.

High blood lead levels of children in a gold mining community in Osun State, Nigeria: an urgent call for action.

Environmental exposure from artisanal gold mining activities is a major risk for high blood lead levels (BLLs) in children. Over the last decade, artisanal gold mining activities have been on a sharp increase in some parts of Nigeria. This study compared BLLs of children in the mining community of Itagunmodi and a 50-km distant non-mining community of Imesi-Ile, Osun State, Nigeria. This community-based study investigated 234 apparently healthy children, with 117 each from Itagunmodi and Imesi-Ile. Relevant history, examination and laboratory findings including BLLs were recorded and analysed. All participants had BLLs above the cut-off value of 5µg/dl. However, the mean BLL of subjects living in the gold-mining community (24.2±5.3µg/dl) was significantly higher than for children in the non-mining area of Imesi-Ile (19.5±6.4µg/dl; p<0.001). Children in the gold mining community were 3.07 times more likely to have a BLL ≥20µg/dl than those in the non-mining environment (odds ratio [OR] 3.07 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.79 to 5.2], p<0.001). Similarly, the odds of having a BLL ≥30µg/dl was 7.84 times more likely among children living in gold mining Itagunmodi than in Imesi-Ile (OR 7.84 [95% CI 2.32 to 26.46], p<0.0001). BLL was not associated with socio-economic and nutritional status of the participants. In addition to introduction and enforcement of safe mining practices, regular screening for lead toxicity is advocated for children in these communities.

Spatial distribution of heavy metal contaminants: The effects of water-sediment regulation in the Henan section of the Yellow River

Water-sediment regulation (WSR) affects sediment transport in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River through periodic interception of sediment by dams and alteration of downstream flow rates, which leads to redistribution and recycling of elements. In this study, based on the evaluation of seven heavy metals (V, Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, and Cd) in water, sediment and suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the Henan section of the Yellow River, the effects of WSR on the redistribution and risk of release of metals to the downstream aquatic environment were investigated, and the range of impact and pollution sources were determined. Dissolved metals were well below guideline values for water quality, but Cd, Cr, and Cu were enriched in the sediments, especially in the reservoir, and the pollution load index (PLI) results indicated that the contamination in the study area remained very low. The level of contamination was decreased, and metals migrated downstream after WSR. The chemical speciation of metals indicates that anthropogenic input of metals occurs in upstream tributaries, and the risk of release of metals in the sediments increases after WSR, but the spatial distribution of the risk is more homogeneous. The distribution coefficient explains the distribution pattern of pollution, where SPM carries pollutants to the downstream while formed surface sediments through natural deposition during the sand-discharge stage. Based on geological and field investigations, upstream gold mining and downstream riverbank cultivation activities in the study area are potential sources of Cu and Cd pollution. These findings are crucial to the better understanding of patterns of metal release from artificial impoundments in river systems and provide a theoretical basis for ecological development in the Yellow River Basin.

Plankton diversity and its heavy metal content in Ratai Bay of Pesawaran district, Lampung, Indonesia.

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activity in Way Ratai River produces heavy metal wastes; therefore, further information regarding heavy metal concentrations in the water was needed, especially in plankton samples. Furthermore, the determination of plankton diversity was also carried out in the waters of Way Ratai to determine the bioconcentration factor (BCF). Eight sampling sites were chosen along the river reaching the coast of Way Ratai. The research was conducted in November 2020 and March 2021. Ten heavy metals, Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn that are commonly found in mining areas, were determined in the water and plankton samples by using ICP-OES. The results indicated that the highest concentration found was Fe in plankton samples (0.725 mg/L in the river and 1.294 mg/L on the coast). Meanwhile, contents of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in the river exceeded the predetermined water quality standards, while Ag and Pb metals were not detected. The Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn content in seawater also exceeded quality standards. The highest BCF value (12.96) was found for Fe at station G, whereas the lowest BCF value (0.13) was found for Ag at stations G and H.

Why is Ghana losing the war against illegal gold mining (Galamsey)? An artificial neural network-based investigations.

Ghana, like most resource-rich countries, is saddled and inundated with resource curse challenges. Key among them is the problem of illegal small-scale gold mining activities (ISSGMAs), which is mercilessly robbing the nation of its ecological integrity, despite attempts by successive governments to remedy the situation. In the midst of this challenge, Ghana, year in and year out, performs abysmally on environmental governance score (EGC) variables. Against this framework, this study intends to uniquely establish the drivers behind Ghana's failure to overcome ISSGMAs. To achieve this, a total of 350 respondents were sampled through a structured questionnaire, with a mixed method approach from selected host communities, believed to be the epicenters of ISSGMAs in Ghana. The questionnaires were administered from March to August, 2023. AMOS Graphics and IBM SPSS vs 23 were used to analyze the data. In particular, the novel hybrid artificial neural network (ANN) and linear regression techniques were adopted to establish the relational linkages among the constructs of the study and their respective contribution to ISSGMAs in Ghana. The study displays intriguing results that explain why Ghana has failed to be victorious over ISSGMAs. In particular, the findings of the study demonstrate that the three key drivers of ISSGMAs in Ghana, in a sequential and consecutive order are as follows: bureaucratic licensing regime/weak legal framework, political/traditional leadership failures, and corrupt institutional officials. Moreover, socioeconomic factors and proliferation of foreign miners/mining equipment were also observed to contribute significantly to ISSGMAs. While the study contributes to the ongoing debate on ISSGMAs, it also proffers valuable and practical solutions to the menace as well as theoretical implications.

Local intensity of artisanal gold mining drives mercury accumulation in neotropical oxbow lake fishes

Driven by surges in global gold prices and additional socio-economic factors, artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the Global South is increasing and driving emissions of significant quantities of mercury (Hg) into the air and freshwater. Hg can be toxic to animal and human populations and exacerbate the degradation of neotropical freshwater ecosystems. We examined drivers of Hg accumulation in fish that inhabit oxbow lakes of Peru's Madre de Dios, a region with high biodiversity value and increasing human populations that depend on ASGM. We hypothesized that fish Hg levels would be driven by local ASGM activities, by environmental Hg exposure, by water quality, and by fish trophic level. We sampled fish in 20 oxbow lakes spanning protected areas and areas subject to ASGM during the dry season. Consistent with previous findings, Hg levels were positively associated with ASGM activities, and were higher in larger, carnivorous fish and where water had lower dissolved oxygen levels. In addition, we found a negative relationship between fish mercury levels associated with ASGM and the occurrence of the piscivorous giant otter. The link between fine-scale quantification of spatial ASGM activity and Hg accumulation, as indicated by the result that in the lotic environment, localized effects of gold mining activities are stronger drivers (77 % model support) of Hg accumulation than environmental exposure (23 %) constitutes a novel contribution to a growing body of literature on Hg contamination. Our findings provide additional evidence of high Hg exposure risks to neotropical human and top carnivore populations subject to the impacts of ASGM, which depend on freshwater ecosystems undergoing gradual degradation. The documented spatial variation in Hg accumulation and increased Hg levels in carnivorous fish should serve as a warning to human communities in Madre de Dios to avoid the proximity of high-intensity gold mining areas and minimize local carnivorous fish consumption.

Assessment of Hg pollution in stream waters and human health risk in areas impacted by mining activities in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Illegal gold mining activities have contributed to the release and mobilization of Hg and environmental degradation in many parts of the world. This study aims to determine the concentration of Hg in five provinces of the Amazon Region of Ecuador, in addition to assessing the risk to human health of exposed populations, applying deterministic and probabilistic methods. For this purpose, 147 water samples were collected in rivers and streams crossing and/or located near mining areas. As a result, 100% of the samples analyzed exceeded the maximum permissible limit (MPL) according to the water quality criteria for the preservation of aquatic life of the Ecuadorian regulations, while 7% of the samples exceeded the MPL for drinking water. On the other hand, considering the European Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) for surface water bodies, in our study, 100% of the samples exceed the maximum permissible limit (0.07µg/L), and with respect to the Canadian water quality guidelines, 35% of the samples exceed the permissible limit (0.001mg/l) for drinking water, and 100% of the samples exceed the limit for life in water bodies (0.0001mg/l). The risk assessment revealed that the probability of developing adverse health effects from exposure to Hg is below the recommended limits according to the probabilistic assessment; this is in relation to the criterion of residential and recreational use of water resources. However, it was identified that the child population doubles the acceptable systemic risk level according to the results of the deterministic assessment in the residential scenario. This information can be used by decision-makers to implement strategies to reduce Hg contamination and exposure of the population in Ecuadorian Amazonian rivers.

Creuseurs avec Bêche ou sans Bêche : Comprendre le travail des enfants et ses conséquences dans les mines d'or à Luhihi

This article analyzes child labor in the Luhihi mining site and provides a typology of the activities they engage in, as well as the motivations behind their rush towards the mining resources. The results of this article are based on a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews, observation, and group discussions. Since 2020, many inexperienced children have decided to engage in gold mining activities in Luhihi, partly due to the context in which the gold deposit was discovered, which made their strong presence possible in the mining site. In addition, the mine has emerged as a palliative for the idleness that most children have found themselves in due to the Covid-19 pandemic. On the mining site, children engage in various activities. Some are directly involved in the mining supply chain as diggers with a shovel, while others are involved in mining craft activities without a shovel. However, their level of remuneration does not match the services they provide to the artisanal community. Furthermore, they are exposed to diseases and other forms of physical and moral consequences. The mine constitutes a new socialization environment for these children and a new space for education. However, despite the presence of a permanent framework and the multiple initiatives already undertaken by the actors, the evacuation of children from the Luhihi mining site raises questions about the conditions for the applicability of such a process, its effectiveness, and its sustainability.