VIDEO UN warns Colombia over mercury contamination in Atrato River

 The United Nations warned that mercury contamination from illegal gold mining in Colombia’s Atrato River basin has created a “serious and ongoing human rights crisis,” threatening the health and survival of Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities.

read more... https://nationalpost.com/video/db944a5c-a9fc-11f0-99be-ba57022c8a5a/un-warns-colombia-over-mercury-contamination-in-atrato-river-calls-crisis-a-human-rights-em

Study Finds High Levels of Mercury in Hair Samples From Indigenous Women in Peru and Nicaragua

 

Small-scale gold mining in the area releases mercury into the environment, where it can make its way into fish and, in turn, humans

read more... https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/study-finds-high-levels-of-mercury-in-hair-samples-from-indigenous-women-in-peru-and-nicaragua-180987498/

From Ghana’s gold fields to the air we breathe, mercury vapor is becoming the new invisible threat.

 The video discusses mercury vapor pollution from illegal gold mining in Ghana. Mercury is used to extract gold in artisanal and small-scale mining. When heated, mercury evaporates into toxic vapor, harming miners and nearby communities.

read more... https://www.ghanawebbers.com/videos/from-ghana-s-gold-fields-air-we-breathe-mercury-vapor-is-becoming-new-invisible-threat-288264

Gold mining is destroying the Amazon rainforest from within

 There is a second benefit to filling ponds. A separate study shows that artificial lakes created by mining can convert mercury from the gold process into methylmercury, a more bioavailable neurotoxin that builds up in fish and people.

read more... https://www.earth.com/news/illegal-gold-mining-is-destroying-the-amazon-rainforest-from-within/

Safeguarding the Black Volta: A Civic Call Against Illegal Mining

 Water Pollution: Mercury and sediment runoff threaten drinking water and aquatic life.

read more... https://www.modernghana.com/news/1439782/safeguarding-the-black-volta-a-civic-call-against.html

Government’s fight against illegal mining lacks urgency and commitment – UTAG Vice President

 Ghana, one of Africa’s leading gold producers, has struggled for years to curb illegal mining, which has contaminated major rivers with mercury and other chemicals. Successive governments have launched military operations and revoked licenses, but the problem persists.

read more... https://asaaseradio.com/governments-fight-against-illegal-mining-lacks-urgency-and-commitment-utag-vice-president/

Galamsey: Ghana’s National Crisis That Demands Collective Action

 A joint study in 2025 by Pure Earth and Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed mercury levels of 56.4 ppm and arsenic levels of 10,060 ppm in mining zones—thousands of times above World Health Organization standards

read more... https://www.modernghana.com/news/1439661/galamsey-ghanas-national-crisis-that-demands.html

Galamsey; A Necessary Evil And A Threat To Public Health In Ghana

  Illegal mining, known as “galamsey,” is conducted without proper regulation to protect the natural environment, leading to severe consequences that result in environmental degradation. Destruction of farmlands, deforestation and contamination of river bodies with mercury and cyanide.

read more... https://www.modernghana.com/news/1439216/galamsey-a-necessary-evil-and-a-threat-to-public.amp

OccupyGhana renews warning to Government: Galamsey pushing Ghana toward ecological and food disaster

 The group also drew attention to severe water pollution caused by mercury and cyanide used in small-scale mining operations, which they said are poisoning Ghana’s rivers, groundwater, and even the air.

read more... https://www.myjoyonline.com/occupyghana-renews-warning-to-government-galamsey-pushing-ghana-toward-ecological-and-food-disaster/

The Galamsey Chronicles: Illegal Mining and the Fate of a Nation: (Episode 8/10)

 Intergenerational and Social Consequences of Galamsey Ghana’s welcome is generous but mercury-laced rivers, arsenic-rich soils, and cyanide-scarred aquifers do not forget.

read more... https://cedirates.com/news/the-galamsey-chronicles-illegal-mining-and-the-fate-of-a-nation-episode-810/

Four million livelihoods vs 34 million lives: When the cost of gold is the death of a nation

 toxic chemicals poison the very soil that feeds us. Neo-galamseyers no longer mine for livelihood, they mine for quick wealth, leaving behind destruction and death.

read more... https://www.myjoyonline.com/four-million-livelihoods-vs-34-million-lives-when-the-cost-of-gold-is-the-death-of-a-nation/

The Galamsey Chronicles: Illegal Mining and the Fate of a Nation: (Episode 9/10)

 Mercury is central to galamsey operations, where it is used for amalgamation. When released, mercury enters aquatic systems and is converted to methylmercury, a potent neurotoxin

read more... https://www.myjoyonline.com/the-galamsey-chronicles-illegal-mining-and-the-fate-of-a-nation-episode-9-10/

Amazon Mine: 7 Gold Rush Challenges in the Rainforest

 o extract gold from ore, artisanal and small-scale miners in the Amazon frequently use mercury. This highly toxic substance is commonly used due to its low cost and efficacy—yet its consequences are profound.

read more... https://farmonaut.com/mining/amazon-mine-7-gold-rush-challenges-in-the-rainforest

The hidden environmental cost of gold mining

 Gold mining produces tailings rock and Earth leftover from extraction that contain heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury. Mercury, widely used in small-scale gold mining, and cyanide, applied in many modern gold mines, are particularly risky for water and health.

read more... https://www.wionews.com/photos/the-hidden-environmental-cost-of-gold-mining-1759992043511/1759992043513

The Stream, October 9, 2025: Lake Victoria, Africa’s Largest Freshwater Lake, Listed As Potential Site for New Nuclear Power Plant

 

• Humans, fish, and rivers in the Peruvian Amazon are becoming increasingly contaminated with unsafe levels of mercury as illegal gold mining booms.
• read more... https://www.circleofblue.org/newsletter/the-stream-october-9-2025-lake-victoria-africas-largest-freshwater-lake-listed-as-potential-site-for-new-nuclear-power-plant/

Fears Amazon is in ‘delicate situation’ over rising mercury pollution

 A prominent Catholic leader in Peru’s Amazon is urgently appealing to countries that import gold to help curb illegal mining, which is severely polluting rivers with mercury as gold prices reach unprecedented highs.

read more... https://www.aol.com/news/fears-amazon-delicate-situation-over-162238862.html

Peru failing to curb illegal gold mining, mercury trafficking

 A South American trade bloc on Monday ruled that Peru is failing to meet its commitments to curb illegal gold mining and mercury trafficking, siding with indigenous groups who say their Amazon rivers and food supply are being poisoned.

read more... https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2025/10/08/2003845124

South American trade bloc orders Peru to crack down on mercury trafficking and illegal gold mining

 A South American trade bloc ruled Monday that Peru is failing to meet its commitments to curb illegal gold mining and mercury trafficking, siding with Indigenous groups who say their Amazon rivers and food supply are being poisoned.

read more... https://www.ourmidland.com/news/world/article/south-american-alliance-orders-peru-to-crack-down-21087680.php

Police arrest eight foreigners for illegal gold exploration and purchasing business

 It said the police retrieved GH¢23,450.00 cash, quantities of raw gold and gold dust, mercury, and a lighter from the suspects, presently at the police custody aiding investigations, saying the items had been retained for forensic examination.

read more... https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2025/10/05/police-arrest-eight-foreigners-for-illegal-gold-exploration-and-purchasing-business/

Academic City Proposes Technology-Driven Strategy to Combat Illegal Mining Crisis

 The white paper identifies several rivers, including the Pra, Birim, Offin and Ankobra, as critically polluted. It highlights escalating health risks from mercury exposure and emphasizes the scale of environmental damage already done to forest reserves across mining regions.

read more... https://www.newsghana.com.gh/academic-city-proposes-technology-driven-strategy-to-combat-illegal-mining-crisis/

Ending galamsey, restoring dignity: A Ghana plan that Africa can use

 Empirically, contamination is severe: a 2025 EPA–Pure Earth assessment reported mercury in soils around Konongo Zongo averaging 56.4 ppm (peaks 1,342 ppm) and arsenic up to 10,060 ppm, levels associated with increased pediatric kidney disorders in mining districts 

read more...   https://www.myjoyonline.com/ending-galamsey-restoring-dignity-a-ghana-plan-that-africa-can-use/

Call for small-scale gold mining law

 SOCIAL and environmental risks: Widespread mercury use, child labour, poor safety standards and gender inequities persist

read more... https://www.thenational.com.pg/call-for-small-scale-gold-mining-law/

Small-Scale Mining and the Law: Addressing the “Galamsey” Challenge

 Illegal mining often involves washing ore in rivers and using chemicals like mercury and cyanide to separate gold.

read more... https://www.modernghana.com/news/1436994/small-scale-mining-and-the-law-addressing-the.amp

Ghana’s Fool’s Gold and National Eco-Suicide

 The environmental degradation caused by Galamsey is no longer just about gold. Mercury, copper, nickel, and other heavy metals have entered our water systems and food chain. 

read more... https://www.modernghana.com/news/1436828/ghanas-fools-gold-and-national-eco-suicide.html

Academic City unveils white paper to tackle galamsey menace

  It further highlights escalating health risks, such as mercury-related illnesses and the destruction of 34 forest reserves through deforestation.

read more... https://www.businessghana.com/site/news/business/335545/Academic-City-unveils-white-paper-to-tackle-galamsey-menace

Ghana's Water Crisis - a National Disgrace Demanding Urgent Action

 Illegal mining, the scourge of our environment, continues to pump mercury and heavy metals into streams and rivers, poisoning communities and killing aquatic life.

read more... https://allafrica.com/stories/202510020098.html

The Galamsey Chronicles: Illegal Mining and the Fate of a Nation: (Episode 3/10)

 Mercury-tainted gold, heavy metal-bearing cocoa, pesticide- and cyanide-laden produce: these can all travel quietly into foreign markets and dinner tables.

read more... https://www.myjoyonline.com/the-galamsey-chronicles-illegal-mining-and-the-fate-of-a-nation-episode-3-10/

Declare State Of Emergency With An Interim Ban On Small Scale Mining, Whilst Reviewing The Small Scale Mining Laws

 So, due to the ramification of Small Scale Mining to the environment thus with great effects on, Water Security, Food Security, Public Safety (due uncovered pits,), Public Health Security (especially issues of mercury digestion or mercury vapour inhaling with resultant kidney problem and breathing problem) , respectively, hence great effects on both Global Security and National Security.

read more... https://www.modernghana.com/news/1436479/declare-state-of-emergency-with-an-interim-ban.html

Mining licenses suspended in Manica

 The main problem is the use of mercury in washing gold. Mercury is highly toxic, but mining operations have made little effort to reduce their use of it.

read more... https://aimnews.org/2025/10/01/mining-licenses-suspended-in-manica/

The Galamsey Chronicles: Illegal Mining and the Fate of a Nation (Episode 2/10)

 ome of these rivers now carry a toxic mix of mercury from gold amalgamation, cyanide from ore processing, and arsenic and lead released from disturbed soils. 

read more... https://www.myjoyonline.com/the-galamsey-chronicles-illegal-mining-and-the-fate-of-a-nation-episode-2-10/

Pity Ghana, caught between the agrochem errors and the gala cancer

 “Everywhere we look, the evidence is irrefutable: mercury-blackened rivers, vast swaths of scarred earth where lush forests and fertile farms once stood, and poisoned water tables feeding sickness into communities.

read more... https://www.modernghana.com/news/1436692/pity-ghana-caught-between-the-agrochem-errors.html

Mozambique: Here are some of the reasons why the government had to hit pause on all mining in Manica province

 The main problem is the use of mercury in washing gold. Mercury is highly toxic, but mining operations have made little effort to reduce their use of it. Analysis of the waters of the Manica rivers and of the Chicamba reservoir has revealed the presence not only of mercury, but also of other heavy metals, including lead, cadmium and arsenic.

read more... https://clubofmozambique.com/news/mozambique-here-are-some-of-the-reasons-why-the-government-had-to-hit-pause-on-all-mining-in-manica-province-292819/