As gold prices hit record highs—nearly $4,400 an ounce—serious concerns arise over the impact of mercury in small-scale gold mining. This week in Geneva, countries will discuss ways to tackle the dangerous trade of mercury, commonly used by artisanal miners to extract gold.
Earlier in October, the Andean Community criticized Peru for not doing enough to curb illegal mining and mercury trafficking. Indigenous communities protested, claiming that they were being poisoned by mercury. Peru was given a deadline to act and reform its laws, including measures that typically shield illegal miners from prosecution.
However, political turmoil in Peru further complicates these efforts. The president was impeached, and the new Congress president has previously supported lenient mining practices.
“The state did not take this seriously,” says Luis Fernandez, executive director of the Peruvian Center for Amazonian Scientific Innovation (Cincia). “The warning from the Andean Community could lead to trade sanctions if ignored.” Indigenous people have even blockaded rivers to make their voices heard.
Fernandez is attending the sixth high-level conference of the Minamata Convention in Geneva. This treaty aims to help its 153 member countries reduce and eliminate mercury use, particularly in artisanal mining, which represents 20% of gold production but also contributes to 37% of global mercury pollution, according to the International Pollutants Elimination Network (Ipen).
The growing demand for gold has skyrocketed the use of mercury. “Mercury is one of the biggest global health threats,” warns Monika Stankiewicz, executive secretary of the Minamata Convention. The World Health Organization has highlighted how mercury exposure can lead to severe health issues, especially in babies and young children.
Research found that 80% of members of Indigenous communities in the northern Peruvian Amazon reported chronic mercury exposure. Similar studies indicate that women in regions of Nicaragua and Kenya are also at high risk. The health risks are even more alarming with mercury’s tendency to bioaccumulate in the food chain, causing irreversible harm.
Indigenous communities face exploitation on multiple fronts, often struggling with poverty and the impact of climate change caused by gold mining. Marcos Orellana, a United Nations expert, points out that small-scale mining continues to legally use mercury, which undermines the global efforts to combat its dangers.
Stankiewicz defends the treaty’s approach, suggesting that outright bans could jeopardize miners’ livelihoods. Instead, the convention focuses on raising awareness and helping communities transition to safer practices. Countries with notable small-scale mining activities are required to develop plans to minimize mercury use.
While the Minamata Convention has made strides, problems remain. Despite a global ban on new mercury mines, there’s insufficient tracking of mercury sources. In the past, there were about 4.4 kilotonnes of mercury traded globally; this dropped to 1.7 kilotonnes by 2022, highlighting some improvements since the treaty was adopted.
However, illicit markets are thriving as gold prices soar. An investigation revealed that a significant amount of mercury trafficked by organized crime remains undetected. “Becoming a miner is easy; mercury can be acquired almost instantly,” says Stankiewicz.
As countries meet in Geneva, there are calls for a global ban on mercury. Yet, no proposals have been put forth by signatory countries. “Gold mining is on the rise, but the convention hasn’t evolved,” Fernandez concludes. The situation in Peru is crucial, as it has yet to effectively manage its mining sector, illustrating the broader challenges faced by the initiative.
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Mercury,Gold,Minamata Convention
