Reducing mercury pollution in small scale gold mining

Introduction
In developing countries mercury is used among for gold extraction in an amalgamation process whereby mercury is released into the environment. Small scale miners (SSMs) from Benquet on the Philippines are using a mercury free method, which might be introduced in other settings to minimize mercury pollution which is the aim of this project together with creation of awareness about mercury toxicity and pollution among SSMs, health care professionals and in the Philippine civil society.

Methods
A baseline survey was conducted in the Northern Philippines with two hundred and sixty SSMs about their use of mercury, knowledge, attitude and practice and symptoms of mercury intoxication were explored. Sixty healthcare professionals and representatives from civil society were interviewed about awareness and knowledge of mercury toxicity. On this basis project interventions were planned and are currently taking place in a corporation among the Danish NGO Diálogos, the National Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, ICOPEH, ISIM University of Copenhagen, the Philippine NGO Ban Toxics, and the Benguet Federation of Small Scale Miners. The tree year project started 2011 and is funded by PR-NGO Denmark.

Results
During the first ‘miner to miner’ training sessions the mercury free method yielded 3.2 g gold of 15.9 karat, where as the traditional method with mercury yielded 1.2 g gold of 14.3 karat using the same amount of randomly picked grinded ore. The local influential SSMs organization has taken steps towards prohibiting mercury use in their area.

Discussion
During the project a concept for ‘changing to mercury-free methods’ is developed. This concept will be accessible in a free white book containing training materials, the film on DVD, questionnaires for baseline survey and monitoring, and an implementation strategy for other gold mining areas around the world.