Adverse Health Effects of Mercury Use on Illegal Gold Miners: A Study in Garasi, Eritrea

In places where illegal gold mining is prevalent, tons of mercurial waste is discarded in the environment. For example fifteen tons of gold are extracted from the Madre de Dios region per day, meaning that as much as 42 tons of mercury are left behind daily due to illegal gold mining, which remains in the environment for many years. [5] Studies have shown that for every kilo of gold produced, an estimated 1.3 kg of mercury are released into waterways, polluting water, aquatic organisms and human populations that consume water and fish.
http://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ab.20170502.11.pdf