Mercury Amalgamation in ASGM

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The Largest Mercury Pollution Source

T
he largest source of mercury emissions of anthropogenic activity ever made on the earth is artisanal and small-scale gold mining known as ASGM where mercury is used in the traditional method of amalgamation to extract gold from the ore rock. ASGM activities are also sources of social problems, such as land tenure issues, social instability such as migration, and conflict between residents.

Amalgamation process and Hg pollution

The main reason for using mercury during the amalgamation process is to extract the gold from ore rock. But Hg pollution such as atmospheric hg pollution happened during each process.

The main reason for using mercury during the amalgamation process is to extract the gold from ore rock. But Hg pollution such as atmospheric hg pollution happened during each process.

Exposure to mercury threatens human health especially developing fetuses and young children are at a higher risk.

The awareness of mercury intoxication and the sources of contamination should be alerted in order to prevent the health and pollution problems.