There are an estimated 10-15 million unregulated gold miners around the world, operating in 70 countries.
Artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the largest source of
mercury pollution in the world after the burning of fossil fuels.
Mercury is an element which does not break down in the environment.
Instead, it is cycled between the atmosphere, land, and water, and can
travel large distances from the original source.
Mercury can also build up in humans and animals and become highly
concentrated in the food chain. Low levels of mercury exposure can build
up over time until concentrations are high enough to be harmful.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation estimates that 1
000 tonnes of mercury is released into the air, soil, and water each
year by this sector.
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