Gustavo Angeloci

Abstract:

Artisanal mining represents, perhaps, the most egregious problem for the worldwide mining industry. Artisanal miners, over 30 million around the world, devastate the local environment in which they operate affecting all three environments - the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, and the atmosphere. The practices used are old "by-hand" mining techniques mixed together with some modern practices that are very dangerous when not performed in an appropriate manner. Artisanal miners mine for many different commodities, but gold is the predominant treasure. For ease of extraction, most of these operations use mercury which leads to significant pollution of lakes and rivers as well as affecting the health and safety of local communities. This paper will discuss the different approaches being taken by governments around the world to attempt to regulate, control or eliminate these activities. The focus will be on working with the miners to educate them about the dangerous methods they are using that can come back to affect them and their families well in the future. This education process also involves teaching them how to significantly enhance their recovery of gold and to reduce their costs while at the same time establishing practices to reduce the impact on the environment and occupational safety.