Fish deaths may be related to mercury used in gold mining

Muhammad urged the provincial administration to take serious action to counter river pollution in Aceh, especially pollution related to mining activities.

Meanwhile, Aceh Governor Zaini Abdulah called on residents to cease illegal gold-mining activities, especially the use of mercury.

“Mercury usage without control by the authorities could pollute water and endanger both people and the environment,” Zaini said.

The use of mercury in gold mining is illegal in Indonesia because it is toxic to both human health and the environment. But for people who are lured by the lucrative market for gold, mercury is the easiest way to extract it.

Despite the hazards, obtaining mercury for gold mining activities is relatively easy.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/08/08/fish-deaths-may-be-related-mercury-used-gold-mining.html