Mercury is one of the main health concerns of ASGM. The use of mercury to amalgamate and extract metals from rock has been in practice for over 5000 years , mainly because it is a simple, expedient, and relatively inexpensive method. Today mercury-free extraction processes are readily available, as are simple mercury reduction technologies.
The release of mercury into the environment from ASGM is not only a serious health issue for the local people but it also contributes towards global health problems. When mercury is released into the air, it may travel long distances before it is deposited into waterways and soils. When this occurs, bacteria can convert mercury into an even more toxic form called methyl-mercury, which can bio-accumulate up the food-web. This results in predatory fish, such as tuna and marlin, having high mercury concentrations.
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