Mercury Pollution from Small-Scale Gold Mining Can Be Stopped by Implementing the Gravity-Borax Method: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study from Two Mining Communities in the Philippines

TY - JOUR

T1 - Mercury Pollution from Small-Scale Gold Mining Can Be Stopped by Implementing the Gravity-Borax Method

T2 - A Two-Year Follow-Up Study from Two Mining Communities in the Philippines

AU - Køster-Rasmussen, Rasmus

AU - Westergaard, Maria L

AU - Brasholt, Marie Sørensen

AU - Gutierrez, Richard

AU - Jørs, Erik

AU - Thomsen, Jane Frølund

PY - 2016/2/1

Y1 - 2016/2/1

N2 - Mercury is used globally to extract gold in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. The mercury-free gravity-borax method for gold extraction was introduced in two mining communities using mercury in the provinces Kalinga and Camarines Norte. This article describes project activities and quantitative changes in mercury consumption and analyzes the implementation with diffusion of innovations theory. Activities included miner-to-miner training; seminars for health-care workers, school teachers, and children; and involvement of community leaders. Baseline (2011) and follow-up (2013) data were gathered on mining practices and knowledge about mercury toxicology. Most miners in Kalinga converted to the gravity-borax method, whereas only a few did so in Camarines Norte. Differences in the nature of the social systems impacted the success of the implementation, and involvement of the tribal organization facilitated the shift in Kalinga. In conclusion, the gravity-borax method is a doable alternative to mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, but support from the civil society is needed.

AB - Mercury is used globally to extract gold in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. The mercury-free gravity-borax method for gold extraction was introduced in two mining communities using mercury in the provinces Kalinga and Camarines Norte. This article describes project activities and quantitative changes in mercury consumption and analyzes the implementation with diffusion of innovations theory. Activities included miner-to-miner training; seminars for health-care workers, school teachers, and children; and involvement of community leaders. Baseline (2011) and follow-up (2013) data were gathered on mining practices and knowledge about mercury toxicology. Most miners in Kalinga converted to the gravity-borax method, whereas only a few did so in Camarines Norte. Differences in the nature of the social systems impacted the success of the implementation, and involvement of the tribal organization facilitated the shift in Kalinga. In conclusion, the gravity-borax method is a doable alternative to mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, but support from the civil society is needed.

U2 - 10.1177/1048291115607929

DO - 10.1177/1048291115607929

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 26463257

SN - 1048-2911

VL - 25

SP - 567

EP - 587

JO - New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy

JF - New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy

IS - 4

ER -