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Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Nigerian gold mining: farmers choose death by lead poisoning over poverty

A short ride away from Soweba's home, a fine mist of dust rises from the ground, clinging to clothes and machines and cloying the eyes, nose and mouth. Payment increases according to how hazardous the work is. At the top of the chain are workers who operate hand-powered grinders. Sitting amid fumes for hours a day, they earn up to 2,000 naira (£7.20) per jute bag of powdered stone. Next come those who mix poisonous mercury, used to separate the lead from its ore, with their bare hands.
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/mar/17/nigeria-gold-mining-farmers-lead-poisoning-poverty

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