Review of barriers to reduce mercury use in artisanal gold mining

This article reviews the use of amalgamation in artisanal gold mining (AGM) and the barriers to reducing mercury use and emissions from the sector. In 2012, AGM accounted for approximately 12% of all the gold produced in the world. The main method of extraction used is gold amalgamation, a process which accounts for the release of between 1000 and 1600 tonnes of metallic mercury every year. The availability of mercury is expected to decline since the international market is shrinking as a result of international policies. Major producers and traders are discontinuing efforts to market the metal. Unfortunately, gold amalgamation is still in wide use around the world, despite its elevated price in a restricted market. Alternative gold extraction methods for artisanal miners have been attempted, but with limited success. This paper brings to light the perceptions of different stakeholders, including governments, communities, academics, and the artisanal gold miners themselves, all of whom have impeded progress towards improved gold processing practices. Capacity building, education, and the presence of trainers prior to introducing a new approach are keys to facilitating change.