Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Mercury in South Africa

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) and Mercury in South Africa

Overview

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a significant economic activity in South Africa, providing livelihoods for thousands. However, this sector is also a major source of mercury emissions and contamination. Mercury is commonly used in ASGM to extract gold from ore due to its low cost and ease of use, but this process poses severe risks to miners, communities, and the environment.

How Mercury is Used

• Mercury is mixed with crushed gold ore to form an amalgam.
• The amalgam is then heated, vaporizing mercury and leaving behind gold.
• The process releases toxic mercury vapor into the air and can contaminate soil and water.

Risks and Impacts

• Health: Mercury exposure can cause neurological and developmental damage, especially in children and pregnant women. Miners and local populations are at risk through inhalation, skin contact, and contaminated food or water.
• Environmental: Mercury released from ASGM contaminates rivers, soil, and ecosystems, threatening wildlife and water quality.

Regulatory Context in South Africa

• South Africa is a signatory to the Minamata Convention, which requires control and, where feasible, elimination of mercury use in ASGM.
• The National Mercury Initial Assessment (MIA) identified ASGM as a priority for intervention due to high mercury emissions.
• National environmental laws require permits for mining activities and restrict mercury use, but enforcement in informal sectors remains a challenge.

Challenges

• Informality: Much of ASGM operates outside the formal economy, making regulation and monitoring difficult.
• Lack of Awareness: Many miners are unaware of mercury’s dangers or alternative gold recovery methods.
• Economic Dependency: Communities may rely on ASGM for income, making change difficult without alternatives.

Solutions and Initiatives

• Formalization: Efforts are underway to formalize ASGM, providing miners with legal status, training, and access to safer technology.
• Mercury-Free Technologies: Pilot projects introduce mercury-free gold extraction methods, such as gravity concentration or cyanidation with strict controls.
• Education and Training: Awareness campaigns and technical training help miners understand health risks and adopt safer practices.
• Alternative Livelihoods: Programs are developed to offer other income opportunities for communities dependent on ASGM.

Current Progress

• South Africa collaborates with international partners (e.g., UNEP, UNIDO) to implement mercury reduction strategies in ASGM.
• Ongoing research and pilot projects aim to demonstrate and scale up safer, more sustainable gold extraction methods.