Artisanal miners who use mercury to extract gold from soil dug in the mines, risk developing a range of health complications, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The world health body says the complications include permanent damage to the nervous system, in particular the developing nervous system.
The world health body says the complications include permanent damage to the nervous system, in particular the developing nervous system.
And yet at gold mines in Namayingo district, eastern Uganda, mercury is one of the vital possessions every miner wishes to have. The liquid chemical is highly sought after as they apply it during the process to extract gold from soil dug in the mines.
It s a common sight to find men, women and children searching for gold from a mixture of soil, water and mercury, an activity that has become a routine and main income earner in the area. However, while the local miners crave mercury to help them get gold, they are also inviting ill health that could cause death with the same measure.
It s a common sight to find men, women and children searching for gold from a mixture of soil, water and mercury, an activity that has become a routine and main income earner in the area. However, while the local miners crave mercury to help them get gold, they are also inviting ill health that could cause death with the same measure.
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