It might be a relatively small slice of the mining industry, accounting for less than 20% of global gold production, but artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) operations are the biggest source of mercury pollution in the world.
The sector punches well above its weight producing almost 40% or nearly 830 tonnes of the 2,200 tonnes of total global mercury emissions released each year.
Although mercury is a natural element that has been used in gold mining for centuries, it is highly toxic to people and the environment. Its trade and use have been strictly regulated in recent years.
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