Aladdin Separation Technologies : 09/01/2024

Stamp Program Objectives

In order to address the global mercury problem, Aladdin has developed the Strategic Abatement of Mercury and Poverty (STAMP) program. This program is designed to induce artisanal and all mercury mining users to adopt Aladdin's highly efficient mining technologies. The fundamental strategy looks to illustrate the economic advantages of HGP to the miners. Although being able to provide a safe work environment , safety benefits alone are not sufficient to convince indigent miners to abandon mercury processing. Ultimately, the success of the program must rely on its ability to provide the miners with a greater level of income than what they are able to derive when using mercury. The broad objectives of the STAMP Program are as follows:

1. Employ as many artisanal miners as is possible while maintaining the economical integrity of the program.

2. Work to eliminate the use of mercury when extracting gold in the customary artisanal alluvial concentrates and hard rock deposit areas.

3. Increase artisanal miner wages above the national average and provide bonuses based on gold revenues.

4. Create new employment opportunities and provide training for higher paid jobs in the trades, management, administration, accounting, mining, geology, process engineering, and attendant disciplines.

5. Provide a humanitarian fund to benefit the miners and their families.

6. Convert sites to farming land or forestry after gold is depleted from the properties.

7. Attract artisanal miners to proven gold reserves set aside by large scale mining companies and / or the government.

8. Make a profit for all stakeholders

Aladdin's Pledge To Social Responsibility

Aladdin Technologies Inc. is dedicated to bringing environmentally friendly processes to host countries so that mineral wealth can be extracted in a way that does not endanger local ecosystems or the health of native people. This interest - coupled with a commitment to mutual respect and a close involvement with all stakeholders - is behind the company's drive to help the government and citizens of countries achieve maximum benefit from their mineral resources. We also recognize that shareholder interests are best served when - based on our ethical treatment of indigenous people and sensitivity to environmental issues - countries actively seek out business relationships with the company.

Social responsibility is not simply an abstract concept, but rather, a realistic moral command and business strategy. Aladdin will do whatever is reasonable to help the communities of people around the world with which it interacts. Therefore, to disregard the tenants of mutual respect and fair trade would not only be morally corrupt, but it could also damage shareholder value in company mineral endeavors. Aladdin endeavors to be a leader in the way in which it brings obligations of social responsibility to its business enterprises.

Monday, September 30, 2024

Reciprocity Jewels Announces Record Designer Submissions Following Open Call for 2024 Exhibition at NYC Jewelry Week

Each miner, part of the AMATAF collective, receives training from Pure Earth to mine without mercury and reforest their concessions.

We still maintain a state of emergency must be declared over galamsey – GJA to Akufo-Addo

The Association insists that drastic measures are necessary to curb the destructive impact of galamsey on the country’s environment and water bodies.

Alan Kyerematen outlines 10-point plan to end Galamsey

Mr Kyerematen began his address by acknowledging the devastation that Galamsey has caused across Ghana, describing it as an "existential threat" to the nation. He painted a grim picture of the widespread destruction of water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands, calling it the result of decades of poor governance and policy failure by both the NPP and NDC governments.

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Galamsey making water treatment expensive for pharmaceutical companies

He said the pollution from these mining activities was so severe that expensive technologies were often required to treat the water, which had contributed to the cost of medicines.

A report has estimated that five tons of mercury are released annually from small-scale mining operations in Ghana.

Landslide into illegal Indonesian gold mine kills 12

Much of gold ore processing involves highly toxic mercury and cyanide and workers frequently use little or no protection.

The Gold Conundrum: Balancing Employment Amidst Environmental Woes and Some Steps to Support Avert The Situation

This could lead to (1) increased demand for impure gold, fueling illegal mining activities, (2) high officials and businesspeople profiting from illegal mining, perpetuating corruption, and (3) environmental degradation and pollution continuing unabated, threatening lives and ecosystems, to name a few.

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Galamsey making water treatment expensive for pharmaceutical companies

He said the pollution from these mining activities was so severe that expensive technologies were often required to treat the water, which had contributed to the cost of medicines.

A report has estimated that five tons of mercury are released annually from small-scale mining operations in Ghana.

Friday, September 27, 2024

Brazil cracks down on illegal gold mining, sparking anger in the Amazon

Rampant gold mining has caused widespread environmental destruction in the Amazon Rainforest, including polluted rivers, mercury contamination, large-scale fish deaths and deforestation.

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Editorial: Consequence of illegal mining

These operations frequently use arsenic, cyanide and mercury – a potent neurotoxin that results in severe and long-lasting soil, air and water pollution. 60 percent of Ghana’s water-bodies are now contaminated.

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Galamsey: Who must be blamed for the poison in our water bodies?

Using mercury and other harmful chemicals in their operations, galamseyers pollute water bodies as they mine for gold, leaving behind a trail of environmental destruction.

Illegal Mining: We live now or die tomorrow

The use of chemicals like mercury and cyanide, which are often mishandled, has led to irreversible contamination of rivers and agricultural land. This shift from manual labour to mechanized mining has exacerbated the scale of destruction, leaving vast tracts of land degraded and water bodies polluted.

US$2.3 billion lost annually to illegal mining and gold smuggling

Equally disturbing is the unacceptable levels of mercury, cyanide and arsenic in fresh vegetables and fruit due to illegal mining activities, posing serious health and environmental concerns.

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Galamsey: Job creation and the future of Ghana's SMEs

For example, gold extraction operations pollute rivers with mercury and cyanide, rendering water unfit for farming, fishing, and household usage.

Ghana must stop galamsey before it sinks the country

Illegal small-scale mining in Ghana is destroying the environment, making people ill, adding to water scarcity and damaging farmlands and crops such as cocoa.

5 threats of galamsey to human health

One of the primary dangers of galamsey is mercury exposure. Mercury is frequently used in the gold extraction process to amalgamate the metal from ore.

Monday, September 23, 2024

GUNA urges immediate action against environmental crisis due to galamsey in Ghana

Water Pollution: “Galamsey” has led to the contamination of major rivers and water bodies with harmful chemicals, including mercury and cyanide. This pollution poses serious health risks to communities that rely on these waters for drinking, fishing, and irrigation, and it disrupts aquatic ecosystems.

Sunday, September 22, 2024

Lead fight against galamsey – Mireku Duker tells small-scale miners

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has renewed its call for members of the Association of Small-Scale Miners to take a leading role in the fight against illegal mining, which is polluting water bodies and destroying forest reserves.

The Genesis of Ghana’s Illegal Mining (Galamsey) - Walking the Visionary Impaired Democratic Tough Road Since 1992

The current work of the renowned journalist, Erastus Asari Donkor of JoyNews TV documentary that is titled as ‘Poisoned for Gold’ and all previous studies on illegal mining have indicated unacceptably high concentrations of mercury, cynide and other metals in the main River Bodies of Ghana such as the Pra, Tano, Offin, Odo, Ankobra etc. The economic cost of the galamsey damage to the Nation’s natural forests and lands is unquantifiable but can be estimated.

Saturday, September 21, 2024

6 environmental and civic organizations initiate legal action against mining in forest reserves

Mr Bosu stated that this legal challenge comes at a time when the government is struggling to balance resource extraction with environmental protection adding that the expansion of mining activities, especially in ecologically sensitive areas, has sparked public outrage, with illegal mining continuing to destroy forest reserves and pollute water bodies across the country.

Child Labor in Artisanal gold mining

In Africa, Asia, and Latin America, child laborers in artisanal and small-scale gold mines work underground in pits that easily collapse and use toxic mercury to process the gold, risking brain damage and other serious health conditions.

Battling on multiple frontiers: an African feminist examination of women’s struggles in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM)

(Citation2021) highlighted the 2013 Minamata Convention on Mercury’s explicit provisions for countries to include strategies to prevent the exposure of children and women of child-bearing age, especially pregnant women to mercury use from ASM. This problem of mercury risks and vulnerabilities, as the authors observed, have rather been framed in strong protectionist ethos where women are positioned as both at risk and risky, with the available solution being the removal of women from ASM.

Citation2021) highlighted the 2013 Minamata Convention on Mercury’s explicit provisions for countries to include strategies to prevent the exposure of children and women of child-bearing age, especially pregnant women to mercury use from ASM. This problem of mercury risks and vulnerabilities, as the authors observed, have rather been framed in strong protectionist ethos where women are positioned as both at risk and risky, with the available solution being the removal of women from ASM.

Friday, September 20, 2024

Ghana Geospatial Society calls for one-year ban on small-scale and community mining amidst galamsey crisis

The GGS, a professional body dedicated to advancing geospatial science and technology, expressed grave concern over the destruction caused by galamsey and stressed that the country has reached a **critical point**. The society believes that the temporary ban will allow for a thorough assessment of the damage and pave the way for more effective regulatory measures and monitoring systems to be put in place.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Colombia Combats Illegal Mining in the Amazon

These isolated peoples survive in the Rio Puré National Park on the border with Brazil. Illegal mining increasingly threatens the people who inhabits these lands, not only due to mercury contamination, environmental degradation, and deforestation, but also because of the dangers to which they are exposed due to their isolation, environmental news platform Mongabay Latam reported.

Veep outlines solution to galamsey menace

The NPP Flagbearer also assured his government’s commitment to providing “gold katcha” equipment for artisanal miners to assist in curbing the use of mercury in processing gold.

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

In Colombia, A River's 'Rights' Swept Away By Mining And Conflict

A new dawn seemed possible in Colombia's poorest, conflict-scarred department, where dozens of children had died from mercury poisoning due to illegal gold mining in the river.

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Ghana impact assessment association condemns inadequate government actions against galamsey

The group laments that it is troubling that despite the alarming rate of deforestation, soil degradation, and mercury contamination of rivers, the government’s actions have been inadequate in addressing these issues.

Saving our water, securing our future: Tackling galamsey for greener Ghana

The ecological impact of galamsey is far-reaching, disrupting aquatic and terrestrial life, as well as biodiversity in general. The discharge of heavy metals such as mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium from mining sites into rivers and soils is particularly hazardous.

Monday, September 16, 2024

Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Tackles Tough Issues at the Core of the Industry

“It’s a very difficult transition from mercury to no mercury. It’s a costly process and a big change in thinking and ideology as well. Along with educating and helping people understand, there are a lot of practices and ideas that we need to unlearn for that to happen.

The Galamsey menace in Ghana: Urgent Call for NADMO to act Now

Galamsey is eroding Ghana’s rich natural resources, which are the backbone of the country's economy and survival. Forests are being cut down at an alarming rate, leaving vast expanses of barren land prone to erosion. Rivers and streams, which serve as the primary water sources for millions, are poisoned with mercury and other toxic chemicals used in mining operations.

Sunday, September 15, 2024

NMCG calls for immediate actions to address impact of galamsey

It said the pollution of rivers and streams with harmful chemicals like mercury and cyanide, as well as excessive sedimentation, had made it increasingly difficult for the Ghana Water Company to treat and supply clean water to millions of Ghanaians.

Saturday, September 14, 2024

Ecuador’s Amazon under siege by illegal mining & crime, report finds

Damaging enough on its own, illegal gold mining also encourages the expansion of other illicit markets including the smuggling of mercury, weapons and drugs. The state has acknowledged its difficulty in establishing where the gold has originated from in its exports, with much of it originating from the laundering of illegal gold.

Brazil says it has nearly cleared gold miners from Amazon Yanomami reservation

Junior Hekurari, head of the Yanomami health council Condisi, said the government had evicted the miners and overcome the health crisis, but that the mining had affected their ability to obtain food, with river waters polluted by mercury.

Friday, September 13, 2024

Bloggers Association urges immediate action, says galamsey must stop now

Galamsey has caused widespread destruction of Ghana’s natural resources. Our rivers and water bodies, such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim, have been severely polluted by the chemicals used in illegal mining, including mercury and cyanide.

WaterAid demands immediate halt to illegal mining as water supply drops 75% due to pollution

“This is not just a problem for the country’s most marginalized; it threatens us all. Water contamination means higher costs and tariffs, while mercury and heavy metals are poisoning our food supply. The time for well-intentioned words is over. The government must act now. Future generations are counting on us,” Yanyi-Akofur warned.

Thursday, September 12, 2024

Galamsey fight: Apostolic fathers join calls for temporary ban on small-scale mining

They noted research showing how galamsey has led to water pollution, deforestation, and destruction of farmland.

"This illegal activity not only threatens our environment but also undermines the livelihoods and health of countless Ghanaians," reads part of a statement issued on Thursday, September 12.

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Illegal Mining and mass water pollution in Ghana- A Growing Crisis

The main pollutants associated with illegal mining are mercury, cyanide, and sediment. Mercury, used in gold extraction, is one of the most toxic elements known to man. When mercury enters water bodies, it transforms into methylmercury, a highly poisonous compound that accumulates in aquatic life and works its way up the food chain, eventually reaching humans.

Occupational health risks amongst artisanal and small - scale gold miners in Bindura Township, Zimbabwe

Most artisanal miners (88%) are exposed to mercury vapour which is hazardous (9 in every 10 artisanal miners are exposed to mercury). All respondents (n = 292; 100%) confirmed that they do not wear personal protective clothing when handling chemicals.

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Resilient and resourceful, Brazil’s illegal gold capital resists government crackdown

Mercury contamination in adults may cause symptoms like trembling, weakness and memory loss. The substance can also pass from a pregnant woman to her unborn child, and the baby may be born with rare neurological syndromes such as cerebral palsy. In less severe cases, the child may experience delays in neurological development, resulting in lifelong learning difficulties.

‘Poisoning our waters is genocide’ – Ken Ashigbey sounds alarm over galamsey crisis

He noted the alarming levels of toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide found in water sources due to illegal mining.

Monday, September 9, 2024

Galamsey Menace: Mercury can remain in water for 1,000 years – Environmentalist cautions

Dr George Manful of the Frimpong Manso Institute has raised urgent concerns about the dangerous use of mercury in illegal mining, known as galamsey, highlighting its severe impact on both human health and the environment.

From Gold to Superbugs: How Galamsey Fuels Antimicrobial Resistance in Ghana

A highly worrying feature of galamsey is the uncontrolled application of hazardous substances like cyanide and mercury, which are used to extract gold from ore. The area's rivers and streams frequently contain these substances, endangering the water sources locals depend on for agriculture, cooking, and drinking. These contaminants in water bodies have facilitated the development of antimicrobial resistance.

Sunday, September 8, 2024

Galamsey: 'Our land is mourning, we can't all shut up!'' – Agyinsare calls out complicit 'money-loving, corrupt' politicians, chiefs

Illegal miners, Dr Agyinasare explained, employ methods such as panning (washing soil and gravel in water to separate gold particles), sluicing (using water to wash away soil and concentrate minerals in a trough) and using mercury to amalgamate gold.

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Erastus Asare Donkor reveals chilling details of deformed babies due to galamsey

The environmental journalist told show host Samson Anyenini that, tests on the placenta of these infants found high levels of cyanide, arsenic, and mercury - toxic heavy metals that can have devastating effects on fetal development.

Why Ghana’s “galamsey” fight has become a waste of time

One reductionist interpretation of the joint effect of these two strategies was to: a) hand over chemical-free and gravity-based concentrators to boost extraction of the gold so that small and artisanal miners wouldn’t need to use mercury and install “changfangs” on riverbeds, whilst b) monitoring all these operations using drones and remote observatories all over the country. Drones and centrifuge-concentrators, in short.

Friday, September 6, 2024

Walking Skeletons: Galamsey inflicts DNA damage on parents and progenies

Furthermore, cyanide interferes with cells' breathing mechanisms, potentially leading to genetic alterations and cell death. Environmental contaminants affect DNA, and this effect is not unique to Ghana. Exposure to toxic substances significantly impacts genetics in a number of cases around the world. Mercury poisoning in Japan's Minamata Bay during the 1950s caused one of the most well-known instances of genetic conditions.

For goodness sake, please stop it; you are killing us and generations yet unborn with Chisso- Minamata disease!

Approximately 15% of the world's gold is produced by artisanal and small-scale miners, many of whom use mercury and other toxic substances to extract the minerals from rivers and underneath the ground (BBC, 2013).

Thursday, September 5, 2024

The fight against illegal mining: Annoh Dompreh’s day of shame

One of the most severe environmental consequences of illegal mining is mercury poisoning. Small-scale gold mining is the second-largest source of mercury pollution globally, behind the burning of fossil fuels, alone accounting for around a third of total mercury pollution.

6 chronic health issues that are caused by galamsey

Mercury is commonly used in galamsey to extract gold from ore. Exposure to mercury, especially in the form of inhaled vapours or through contaminated water and food, can lead to severe neurological damage.

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Galamsey fight: 'Ensure strict adherence to environmental standards' — Group urges Lands Minister

The group also notes that toxic chemicals used in galamsey such as mercury and cyanide pollute water bodies, endangering both aquatic life and communities.

Only our manifesto pledges to combat menace of ‘galamsey’ – NDC

“Our manifesto is also proposing to ruthlessly end the menace of galamsey which poses an existential threat. As we speak, Ghana Water Limited has put out statements that at this rate, in the next few years, we have to import water.

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Pure Earth Launches Mercury Impact Assessment Project with International Collaboration.

Mercury, a toxic heavy metal, poses significant risks to human health, particularly when individuals are exposed to it. In Ghana, mercury pollution largely stems from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), which is prevalent across 13 regions.

Is Ghana Heading Toward Importing Drinking Water Due to Galamsey Menace?

The ravages of galamsey are evident in the once-clear rivers of Ghana that have turned into toxic streams. The Pra River, which has become emblematic of this devastation, is now heavily polluted, its waters tainted with mercury, cyanide, and other lethal chemicals used in illegal mining.

Ghana needs to declare a state of emergency over its polluted water bodies – Awula Serwah

Speaking on JoyNews AM show, Mrs Serwah said, “You still have the mercury and cyanide. They are colourless, so you are sort of deceived when you see clear water. At least when it’s brown, you can notice, but when it is clear, you are deceived into thinking that it is safe, when it might not be; it might be quite dangerous.

Monday, September 2, 2024

Suriname Mercury and mining

What the GGMC needed to and can still do is to state clearly how much mercury is being used here and what success it has had ensuring that it is used responsibly, with retorts and not in sluice boxes etc. At last word, mercury importation under the regulations was capped at 1,000 flasks or 34,500 kilogrammes per year. Should that cap be lowered for instance to 20,000 kilogrammes and who is effectively monitoring the importation of mercury and is there a real idea of how much is being used per annum?