Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) are practiced by 20 million people globally and include a workforce made up of those living in the poorest of circumstances.
The practice is widespread across Sub-Saharan Africa and oftentimes operates outside the bounds of mining regulations. According to the UN International Labor Organization, an estimated 1.5 million children under the age of 17 work in gold mines in the Sahel region of Africa.
Mine workers—such as the young boy in Sachs’ presentation—regularly use mercury as part of the mining process. This highly toxic substance can cause life threatening, irreversible damage to the central nervous system and internal organs, especially in children.
Moreover, it is estimated that one-third of all mercury released into the environment comes from ASM, polluting water and soil. When mercury is dumped into rivers and lakes, fish become toxic and unsafe to eat. Deforestation, soil erosion, and land scarring are also common as miners excavate land for trenches and settlements.
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