Gold is particularly attractive to criminal groups because of its high value, portability and ease of sale. Illegal mining has expanded across parts of the Amazon as gold prices have risen, driving deforestation and contaminating rivers with mercury and other toxic substances.
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ALADDIN BLOG
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
What Gold’s Global Trade Body Wants in Africa, Where Hundreds of Tons of Artisanal Gold Go Undeclared
Before signing the agreement with the EITI, the WGC had already announced a partnership in August with the Artisanal Gold Council (AGC), a Canadian organization that promotes responsible, mercury-free gold mining in more than 30 countries across Africa, Asia and South America. In Africa, the AGC is involved in projects in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Zambia. The WGC's cooperation with the EITI is also expected to cover countries implementing the initiative's standards. African countries could therefore play a major role in the partnership, with around 20 countries on the continent among the 56 listed worldwide on the EITI's website.
Monday, October 12, 2026
3,150 tons of gold mined a year
Cyanide is a highly poisonous chemical that destroys ecosystems if not contained. Cyanide spills are common in gold mining. In addition to cyanide, pollution from gold mining includes heavy elements such as cadmium, lead, arsenic, selenium and mercury.
read more... https://www.theworldcounts.com/footprint/mining/what-are-the-environmental-effects-of-gold-mining