Questions and answers: EU mercury policy and the ratification of the Minamata Convention

A particularly problematic activity at the moment involves the use of mercury in artisanal small-scale gold mining, mostly in Africa, Asia and South America. It is estimated that between 10 and 15 million people (including 3 million women and children) are involved worldwide in artisanal mining and that this activity accounts for annual use of 1,400 tonnes of mercury, most of which ends up in the environment.
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-17-1344_en.htm