Revamping Artisanal Gold Mining in Zimbabwe to Catalyse Poverty Reduction

Two main governance challenges that arise are
artisanal gold mining’s environmental impact and
its effects on social and political stability. Serious
implications for the environment include water siltation,
landscape degradation and the loss of biodiversity. One
of the most detrimental aspects of artisanal gold mining
is the use of mercury and cyanide to extract gold. Excess
mercury flows into rivers and, when oxidised, turns into
methyl mercury, a highly toxic chemical that poisons
fish stocks and compromises maize and rice crops. This
often has serious health implications for local residents
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