Miners in Peru Extract Gold Without Mercury to Clean Up the Industry

Gold miners in Peru have been using a new technique to extract gold, in an effort to clean up the sector. Pure Earth, an organization that pioneers evidence-based solutions to mercury and lead exposure, trained the miners in this method.

The new method involves adding water to a mixture of sand, gold and dirt then shaking a table to separate the gold without using mercury. This new method will decrease the environmental and health risks associated with mining.

Artisanal miner Faustino Orosco and his fellow workers at the Fátima mining concession are set to become the pioneer miners in the Amazon to gain the Fairmined Ecological Gold certification. This is a globally recognized standard that confirms that the precious metal has been mined in a responsible way and warrants workers a premium rate for their gold on the global market.

Tauro Fátima Mining Association president Vilma Contreras stated that the country was focused on transforming how gold was mined in the Amazon into a lawful and respected activity.  Making significant changes to mining in this region will require a lot of effort, especially since most gold mines in the southeast region of Peru are illegal. Many of these mines are operated by criminal gangs who have been accused of grabbing land and killing any individual who gets in their way.

It is estimated that in the period between 1985–2017, more than 95,000 hectares of rainforest have been lost to illicit mines. Regional governor Jefferson Gonzales Enoki notes that insecurity and crime rates among citizens are high in this region.

A few years ago, the Peruvian government launched an operation to stop illicit mining in the La Pampa settlement, which decreased deforestation by more than 92%. Enoki added that the government was now focused on increasing reforestation in Madre de Dios, affording workers better labor rights, and promoting responsible and efficient mining activities with no mercury.

Thus far, eight small-scale and artisanal mines in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador have received their certifications. Miners with this certificate can expect to earn about $6,000 more for every kg. of gold mined.

Pure Earth’s local coordinator France Cabanillas reveals that he hopes the extra funds will coax more miners into stopping their illicit practices, adding that for these efforts to be successful, the government will have to work together with the miners as well as all other parties involved. The organization is also asking that the global jewelry industry raise awareness for mercury-free gold in demand and supply chains.

These initiatives are welcome and could bring artisanal gold mining closer to the eco-friendly techniques deployed by major mining companies such as Southern Copper Corporation (NYSE: SCCO), which adhere to a host of regulatory requirements in the jurisdictions in which they operate.

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