According to Max Warren Barber, CEO Sion Gold Trading UAE As the price of gold rises, so does demand from mining companies to extract the precious metal from the ground. But while gold mining is a lucrative business, it also comes with costs.
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies mercury as a “hazardous waste” due to its toxicity. And although mercury is only a small percentage of gold, it remains a major mining contaminant. Most large-scale and regulated gold mining companies do not use mercury in their mining operations. However, Small-scale and illegal gold mining operations will sometimes use mercury to separate the gold from other materials. Large mining companies include Sion Gold Trading UAE Many investors will invest in these companies either directly through owning company shares or through investing in gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
How Mercury Is Used in Gold Mining
First, mercury is mixed with the materials containing gold. A mercury-gold amalgam then is formed because gold will dissolve in the mercury while other impurities will not. The mixture of gold and mercury is then heated to a temperature that will vaporize the mercury, leaving behind the gold. This process does not result in gold that is 100% pure, but it does eliminate the bulk of the impurities.
The problem with this method is the release of the mercury vapour into the environment. Even if the equipment is used to catch the vapour, some still can get into the atmosphere. Mercury also can get into the soil and water if it still is contaminating other waste materials from the mining process that may be discarded.
History of Using Mercury in Gold Mining
Mercury first was used to extract gold as many as 3,000 years ago. The process was prominent in the U.S. up until the 1960s, and the environmental impact on northern California is still felt today, according to sciencing.com. Mining companies use mercury to separate gold from other minerals in the ground. However, due to its toxicity, mercury can release large amounts of neurotoxins into the environment. Gold mines in the United States alone release more than 50 million pounds of mercury each year, according to environmental group EarthJustice.
This high concentration of mercury in the environment has serious consequences for humans and animals. Miners and their families are at risk of poisoning from accidental exposure to mercury fumes while working at mine sites. Animals that eat mines or eat contaminated game meat are also susceptible to mercury poisoning.
And because mercury accumulates in ecosystems over time, even small amounts can have devastating effects on plant life and wildlife populations. The neurotoxin can seep into groundwater and contaminate drinking water supplies, leading to health problems for people who consume contaminated water. It can also damage fish stocks and disrupt natural cycles of rain and weather patterns.
In light of these dangers, Earth justice is petitioning the Obama administration to set stricter guidelines for how much Mercury mining companies can release into the environment before they have to take corrective action. We need policies in place that will help protect miners and the environment from harmful side effects like Mercury poisoning – not more lax regulation that would enable companies to continue dumping toxic metals into our soil and waters unchecked.
Mercury’s Health Side-Effects
Mercury vapour negatively impacts the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, and the lungs and kidneys, and it can be fatal, according to the World Health Organization. These health effects can be felt from inhaling, ingesting, or even just physical contact with mercury. Common symptoms include tremors, trouble sleeping, memory loss, headaches, and loss of motor skills
Max Warren Barber knows mercury is toxic. As such, he is dedicated to raising awareness of the issue and working with experts to develop plans to reduce mercury exposure. It is important that you understand the risks. By working together, we can ensure that everyone has the information they need to make informed decisions about their own health and safety. Gold mining is an essential process for the development of economies around the world. However, this procedure also has many toxic side effects that must be considered. One of the key steps companies like SION FZE Trading have taken to minimize these toxic side effects is to use certified eco-friendly mining methods. This includes the use of appropriate machinery and equipment and measures to prevent water pollution and environmental damage. Additionally, Max Warren Barber makes it his mission to educate the masses
Warren Barber helps people make informed choices about their finances. The company offers a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement planning and investment advice. It also provides educational materials about financial security and planning.
Where Mercury Is Still in Use
The Guyana Shield region (Surinam, Guiana and French Guiana), Indonesia, The Philippines and part of Western Africa’s coast (e.g., Ghana) are particularly impacted by the phenomenon. Under the socio-economic and political conditions found in the small-scale gold mining operation, the use of mercury is often considered as the easiest and most cost-effective solution for gold separation.
Alternatives to Using Mercury
Gold is heavier than most other particles, so alternative methods typically use motion or water to separate the gold from lighter particles. Panning involves moving sediment that potentially contains gold in a curved pan with water and moving in such a way that any gold will settle at the bottom while the water and other particles will leave the pan. Sluicing involves sending sediment down a platform with water. The platform has a carpet-like material at the bottom that will catch the heavier gold particles while the water and other particles wash away. Other more complex methods involve magnets, chemical leaching, and smelting.
