Women of Gold

Women of Gold
Spread the love

The True Cost of Artisanal Gold

The mention of gold is appealing to the ear and always brings anxious feeling of value. One of the world’s most valuable metals is mainly associated with a classy lifestyle and wealth. But here is the big question; do you ever wonder who some of the faces behind all this beauty are? I am talking about the brave women who put their lives on the line to bring this awesome beauty to the world. I choose to call them women of gold not just because of the metal, but their golden spirit and determination.

An active artisanal gold recovery site in Migori

This is the reality that meets you when you pass around the active artisanal gold fields of Migori County in Kenya and by extension all the gold producing areas. According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP); artisanal gold mining contributes to about 20% of the global gold output and employs roughly 15-20 million active miners globally. Interestingly, about a third of the active artisanal gold miners are women and children. As young men pursue the ore in deep pits, women on the ground do the actual gold recovery. As they roll their sleeves and spread the mudlike rock fines, only one thing is in their mind; GOLD which equates to money. This is their only source of livelihood.

The danger and extent of mercury use in gold extraction

What is disturbing is the health and ecological risks associated with constant exposure to high mercury levels. Mercury is a neurotoxin whose exposure leads to toxic effects on the nervous system (e.g. psychotic reactions, hallucinations, suicidal tendencies and delirium), digestive and immune systems, on lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes to both human and wildlife. Part of the reason why mercury is extremely toxic is because it can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption. Continuous exposure can lead to severe muscular spasm and can be fatal. Mercury exposure in children, pregnant and breastfeeding women is extremely dangerous since it’s most harmful in the early stages of development.

Holding mercury on bare hands

Release of mercury wastes to the atmosphere or waterways has lead to increased environmental damage especially marine pollution. Fish and vegetation in affected areas show significantly high mercury levels. Statistics show that more than 1,400 tons of toxic mercury is released into the environment every year in developing nations. This means that close to 4000kgs of mercury is dumped into our biosphere every day. It is estimated that about half of the mercury produced in human history was used in mining operations, making mercury one of the greatest threats our society is facing today.

The Paradox

An amalgamated pellet

Here is the puzzle; one of the world’s most dangerous metals easily traps gold from the concentrate into amalgamated pellets. The pellets are later heated, vaporizing the potent neuro-toxin mercury into the atmosphere and leaving behind the concentrated gold. Unconcerning to the hardworking women is that the joy for the metal and the few coins from its sale is only a lotion on a major underlying health hazard. The process exposes them to the toxic mercury fumes leave alone the unsafe handling of mercury with bare hands.

What is more disturbing is that the wages from this hard and risky labor barely meet their daily needs. This is because use of mercury only achieves about 20-30% efficiency in recovery of gold. Despite numerous campaigns by different organizations and governments on use of alternative methods that are both safe and more efficient, many miners don’t understand them and lack enough capital to invest in them.

It’s Time to Act

A miner at work

The world owes our brave mothers and sons a reward; which can only be a more environmentally safe, cost efficient substitute to mercury in gold recovery. The method should be readily available and acceptable to artisanal miners.  We must provide avenues and facilitation to switch from mercury-based extraction techniques to cleaner and more efficient ones. Coming up with regulations and policies that encourage mercury free recovery will go a long way in realizing a safer world. Different organizations and agencies lead by the Artisanal Gold Council and World Bank have been on the forefront in the fight towards elimination of mercury with projects and partnerships that have positively impacted many miners globally. Such efforts should be supported and broadened to every corner of the globe.

Zero usage of mercury is not an option anymore. The long term effects to the miners, future generations and the environment are devastating. Together we have a responsibility and capability of solving one of the most deadly health challenges the planet has ever faced.

Read more about artisanal gold mining: https://www.mininghubafrica.com/2019/02/02/sustainable-artisanal-mining/

.

21 Comments


  1. Hmm is anyone else experiencіng problems with the images on this blog loading?I’m trying to fiɡure out if its a ρroblem on my end or ifit’s the bl᧐g. Anyy feed-back would be greatly appreciated.


    1. Hey there, kindly share the nature of the problem. We haven’t been informed about the problem from any other user and we shall be glad to help. You can also try to access the site from a different laptop/computer just incase there is a problem on your end


  2. It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you?re talking about! Thanks


    1. Very welcome. We shall continue keeping you informed in well-researched and interesting topics in the extractive sector. Stay tuned


  3. That is very attention-grabbing, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I have joined your rss feed and sit up for looking for extra of your wonderful post.
    Also, I have shared your site in my social networks


    1. Thank you, we appreciate the views, our very skilled team will continue to bring you interesting articles in geology, minerals and entire mining world. Keep tuned


  4. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited this web site before but after
    looking at some of the posts I realized it’s new
    to me. Nonetheless, I’m certainly pleased I discovered it and I’ll
    be bookmarking it and checking back often!


    1. Thank you for the reply and we welcome the views. We shall continue to inform you on the latest trends in the industry. Keep tuned


  5. I need to to thank you for this good read!! I certainly loved every little
    bit of it. I’ve got you bookmarked to look at new things you post…


  6. Incredible points. Outstanding arguments. Keep up the good effort.


  7. “I’m now not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I must spend a while studying more or working out more. Thanks for wonderful information I used to be searching for this information for my mission.”


    1. Thank you Maria. We invest much time in research to make sure our articles are very informative and relevant. We shall continue doing so. Feel free to engage us in your missions


  8. “I take pleasure in, cause I found just what I was taking a look for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye”


    1. Very welcome. Mining Hub Africa is the number 1 information hub on issues mining, geology and minerals in Africa. We shall keep you informed and updated, bookmark out site and share with your circles as well


  9. If some one desires to be updated with most up-to-date technologies then he
    must be pay a quick visit this site and be up to date
    every day.


  10. Great goods from you, man. I’ve take into accout your stuff prior
    to and you are simply extremely fantastic. I actually like what you’ve got here, certainly like what you’re
    saying and the way during which you assert it.

    You’re making it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to keep it sensible.
    I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually
    a wonderful site.



  11. This is a well written piece. Very informative,
    Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

Comments are closed.