“Continuous use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining operations is guaranteed to contaminate the irrigation and water systems. This has a damaging effect on communities whose livelihood relies heavily on farming and fishing,” said Murao.
Main sources of mercury pollution in the Philippines come from the use of mercury in artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM), which contributes to 30 percent of the country’s annual mercury releases.
Similarly, a study conducted by the United Nations Environment Program points to ASGM as the single largest mercury-emitting sector in the world. The Environment Management Bureau estimates the annual mercury discharge from the sector at around 70 metric tons.
http://baguiomidlandcourier.com.ph/environment.asp?mode=%20archives/2015/january/1-4-2015/env5.txt
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