Mining for a living in the majority world

It is estimated that over 100 million people in the majority world base their livelihoods on locally mining gold, precious stones, and other high-value minerals with minimal equipment, capital, and training. It is believed these miners account for around 10% of the world’s new gold production. Bountiful mineral resources in certain rural locations, usually combined with the lack of employment alternatives and unreliable agriculture, open up the alternative of ASM. While an important income source, ASM creates a range of social, economic, legal, and environmental impacts; the major concern of the latter is the uncontrolled use of mercury in gold mining. It is feared that 1,400 tons per year of this toxic substance is being released into the environment around the world.
http://evangelicalfocus.com/blogs/2333/Terry_Garde_Mining_for_a_Living_in_the_Majority_World_Facing_the_issues_and_how_Christians_can_impact_change