Global gold production has jumped from about 2,445 tonnes in 2000 to roughly 2,770 tonnes in 2013. Despite the ups and down of the metal price, mining for gold in areas such as the soil beneath tropical forests remains a profitable activity.
Artisanal gold mining is also related to pollutants, such as mercury, which can enter rivers and the atmosphere with poisoning consequences.
The researchers conclude it is crucial to encourage more responsible ways of mining gold by helping miners to extract in a more efficient way that reduces deeper damages to the forests.
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