Use of mercury in gold mining stirs controversy in Brazil

'Like any industrial process, cyanidation [a metallurgical technique for extracting gold from low-grade ore] has operational risks, being highly toxic to humans and to the environment. But responsible users should manage and take steps to mitigate such risks,' said Giorgio de Tomi, a researcher in mining technologies at the University of São Paulo.

In particular, he added, 'the process of neutralising cyanide after industrial use is simple, well known, widely used, and eliminates operational risks.”

De Tomi toldSciDev.Net that all larger companies working in the Amazon region use this process, and that public agencies, nongovernmental organisations, universities and other bodies should support miners in changing to mercury-free methods.

'In my opinion, this is not the result of miners’ careless attitudes. The mercury process is the only one they know that works. It's up to us to support them in moving to mercury-free technology,' de Tomi said.

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