Mercury Contamination in Mozambique Gold Mining

Summary

Educate the community and gold miners on the hazards of mercury contamination in refining operation and introduce alternative methods for mercury recovery in the Manica District of Mozambique.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Mercury contamination resulting from the amalgamation process to extract gold from ore has a long-term impact on human health and the environment. Health effects of mercury exposure include neurological damage, memory loss, changes in personality, and birth defects. In the Manica District of Mozambique, more than 10,000 people are exposed to this toxic metal through gold mining and refining activities. This project will raise awareness to the risks and introduce alternative technologies.

How will this project solve this problem?

Assess amount of mercury used in the amalgamation process; test mercury levels in air, blood, soil and food; and involving the community to develop alternatives to mercury use in mining activities.

Potential Long Term Impact

Improvement of environment and health of community, increase awareness about risk of mercury exposure, and gain acceptance for use of retorts (to collect and recycle mercury) in the refining process.

Project Message

After my first visit to the area I was sure that by working together we could lower mercury exposures to the gold miners and the environment. Now, through this project we are making progress.
- Rita Matangue Zacarias, Environmental Specialist

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources