As the final step to separate the treasure from the ore, Saliou uses a chemical substance carefully preserved in a piece of wool: mercury. The resulting 0.15 microns of gold is immediately sold to an eager collector for less than $7.58 (5,000 FCFA).
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ALADDIN BLOG
Friday, June 26, 2026
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Mercury Pollution
In artisanal and small-scale gold mining across the world, miners frequently use liquid mercury to extract gold from rocks and sediment. The mercury acts like a magnet, binding with gold particles to create an amalgam (a mixture). To separate the pure gold, this mixture is heated.
read more... https://redpapr.com/upsc/papers/prelims-gs/2023/mercury-pollution-sources-impacts
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Costa Rica Opens Probe Into Blast During Presidential Visit to Crucitas
Crucitas has become one of Costa Rica’s most difficult security and environmental problems. Authorities say illegal miners use mercury and cyanide to separate gold, while police face an area where criminal groups, armed actors and informal mining networks operate near the Nicaraguan border.
read more... https://ticotimes.net/2026/06/23/costa-rica-opens-probe-into-blast-during-presidential-visit-to-crucitas