A review of the environmental and health implications of recycling mine tailings for construction purposes in artisanal and small-scale mining communities

2021 ◽  
pp. 101019
Author(s):  
José R. Velásquez ◽  
Michelle Schwartz ◽  
Laura M. Phipps ◽  
Oscar Jaime Restrepo-Baena ◽  
Juan Lucena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Communities ◽  
Health Implications

scholarly journals Effect of an educational intervention on occupational behaviors related to mercury use in artisanal small-scale gold mining communities

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
A. Singh ◽  
C. Brown ◽  
A. Linn ◽  
P. Linn ◽  
K. Nordstrom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Communities

scholarly journals “Now we’ve all turned to Eating Processed Foods”: A Photovoice Study of the Food and Nutrition Security Implications of ‘Galamsey’ in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanson Nyantakyi-Frimpong ◽  
Aaron Kobina Christian ◽  
John Ganle ◽  
Richmond Aryeetey
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Mining Communities ◽  
Food And Nutrition Security ◽  
Nutrition Security ◽  
Food And Nutrition

Abstract Background: Small-scale mining, referred to as galamsey in Ghana, is an important source of income for many rural populations. Although concerns have been raised in the media about the significant threats galamsey poses to the environment, and human health and livelihoods, there is a representational paucity of evidence regarding its links with local food systems, particularly from the perspective of affected mining communities. The current study explored community perceptions and experiences of galamsey and its perceived effects on food security and livelihoods in the East Akyem Municipality in the Eastern region of Ghana. Methods: Primary data was collected in the East Akim District of Ghana, using photography, interviews based on the photographs, and a photo exhibition, all conducted . Thirty-six male and female adults were purposively selected with the help of a community focal person and advertisements in the study community. Respondents participants in a one-day photography training and thereafter, deployed to take at least fifteen photos that portray the effect of galamsey on food security and health. Subsequently, each participant was asked to selected five of the photographs and to explain the image and why they captured that in the photo. A photo exhibition was held to facilitate community conversation and perspectives on the effects of galamsey on food and nutrition security. Results: Galamsey has resulted in degradation of, otherwise, fertile agricultural land, and contamination of freshwater sources. As a consequence, there is reduced cultivable land, reduced crop production, shortage of essential staple foods, increase in food price, and increased consumption of ultra-processed foods. There is also perception of increased exposure to heavy metals like mercury in locally-produced food. Conclusions: Given the adverse health consequences of both food and nutrition insecurity, and increased consumption of processed foods, it is important that public and policy discussions to minimize the effects of galamsey in Ghana should include considerations about food and nutrition insecurity in mining communities.

scholarly journals Mercury Levels in Human Hair and Farmed Fish near Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Communities in the Madre de Dios River Basin, Peru

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aubrey L. Langeland ◽  
Rebecca D. Hardin ◽  
Richard L. Neitzel
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Total Mercury ◽  
Mercury Level ◽  
Mercury Exposure ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Farmed Fish ◽  
Mining Communities ◽  
Hair Mercury ◽  
Madre De Dios

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has been an important source of income for communities in the Madre de Dios River Basin in Peru for hundreds of years. However, in recent decades, the scale of ASGM activities in the region has increased dramatically, and exposures to a variety of occupational and environmental hazards related to ASGM, including mercury, are becoming more widespread. The aims of our study were to: (1) examine patterns in the total hair mercury level of human participants in several communities in the region and compare these results to the 2.2 µg/g total hair mercury level equivalent to the World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee of Food Additives (JECFA)’s Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI); and (2), to measure the mercury levels of paco (Piaractus brachypomus) fish raised in local aquaculture ponds, in order to compare these levels to the EPA Fish Tissue Residue Criterion of 0.3 µg Hg/g fish (wet weight). We collected hair samples from 80 participants in four communities (one control and three where ASGM activities occurred) in the region, and collected 111 samples from fish raised in 24 local aquaculture farms. We then analyzed the samples for total mercury. Total mercury levels in hair were statistically significantly higher in the mining communities than in the control community, and increased with increasing distance away from the Madre de Dios headwaters (as the crow flies), did not differ by sex, and frequently exceeded the reference level. Regression analyses indicated that higher hair mercury levels were associated with residence in ASGM communities. The analysis of paco fish samples found no samples that exceeded the EPA tissue residue criterion. Collectively, these results align with other recent studies showing that ASGM activities are associated with elevated human mercury exposure. The fish farmed through the relatively new process of aquaculture in ASGM areas appeared to have little potential to contribute to human mercury exposure. More research is needed on human health risks associated with ASGM to discern occupational, residential, and nutritional exposure, especially through tracking temporal changes in mercury levels as fish ponds age, and assessing levels in different farmed fish species. Additionally, research is needed to definitively determine that elevated mercury levels in humans and fish result from the elemental mercury from mining, rather than from a different source, such as the mercury released from soil erosion during deforestation events from mining or other activities.

Distance to slaughter, markets and feed sources used by small-scale food animal operations in the United States

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.L. Beam ◽  
D.D. Thilmany ◽  
R.W. Pritchard ◽  
L.P. Garber ◽  
D.C. Van Metre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Health ◽  
Direct Marketing ◽  
The United States ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Implications ◽  
Food Animal ◽  
The Us ◽  
Systematic Sample

AbstractDistances to common production and marketing supply chain destinations may vary, and this has economic and animal health implications for small-scale food animal operations. Proximity to these destinations can affect the economic viability and marketing decisions of small-scale operations and may represent significant barriers to sustainability. Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey conducted by the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Animal Health Monitoring System in 2011 using a stratified systematic sample of 16,000 small-scale (gross annual farm sales between US$10,000 and 499,999) operations from all 50 states. A total of 7925 food-animal operations were asked about the farthest one-way distance (in miles) to slaughter facilities, destinations where they sold animals or products, and feed sources. Across all small-scale operations, 95% of operations reported the farthest distance animals or products were transported for sale was 241 km (150 miles) or less. For distance to slaughter facilities, 95% of operations reported the farthest distance was 145 km (90 miles) or less. For feed shipped by a supplier, 95% of operations reported the farthest distance was 322 km (200 miles) or less. The 95th percentile for distance increased as farm sales increased, indicating larger operations were more likely to travel long distances. The results of this study are an important benchmark for understanding the economic and animal health implications of long transportation distances for operations that are small and/or focused on direct marketing.

Dietary human exposure to mercury in two artisanal small-scale gold mining communities of northwestern Colombia

2017 ◽  
Vol 107 ◽  
pp. 47-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Salazar-Camacho ◽  
Manuel Salas-Moreno ◽  
Siday Marrugo-Madrid ◽  
José Marrugo-Negrete ◽  
Sergi Díez
Keyword(s):  
Human Exposure ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Communities

Sustainable Livelihoods in Artisanal Small-Scale Mining Communities: a Case Study of Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-95
Author(s):  
Theresa Yaaba Baah-Ennumh ◽  
Joseph Ato Forson ◽  
Oscar Siema Mmbali
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Livelihoods ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Communities

scholarly journals “Now we’ve all turned to Eating Processed Foods”: A Photovoice Study of the Food and Nutrition Security Implications of ‘Galamsey’ in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanson Nyantakyi-Frimpong ◽  
Aaron Kobina Christian ◽  
John Ganle ◽  
Richmond Aryeetey
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Mining Communities ◽  
Food And Nutrition

Abstract Small-scale mining, referred to as galamsey in Ghana, is an important source of income for many rural populations. Although concerns have been raised in the media about the significant threats galamsey poses to the environment, health, and livelihoods, there is a representational paucity of evidence regarding its links with local food systems, particularly from the perspective of affected mining communities. The current study explored community perceptions and experiences of galamsey and its perceived effects on food security and livelihoods in the East Akyem Municipality in the Eastern region of Ghana. Primary data was collected using photovoice, photo exhibition, and interviews. Results show that galamsey has Resulted in degradation of, otherwise, fertile agricultural land, and contamination of freshwater sources. This has resulted in reduced cultivable land, reduced crop production, shortage of essential staple foods, increases in food prices, and increased consumption of ultra-processed foods. There is also perception of increased exposure to heavy metals like mercury in locally produced food. Given the adverse health consequences of both food/nutrition insecurity, and increased consumption of processed foods, it is important that public and policy discussions to minimize the effects of galamsey in Ghana should include considerations about food and nutrition insecurity in mining communities.

scholarly journals CHALLENGES IN COMBATING CHILD LABOUR IN SMALL-SCALE GOLD MINING COMMUNITIES IN SHINYANGA REGION, TANZANIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 12-25
Author(s):  
Martin K. Malima
Keyword(s):  
Gold Mining ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Child Labour ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Governmental Organization ◽  
Mining Communities ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
The Government

Combating child labour in Tanzania is a challenging endeavour especially in small-scale gold mining communities. Studies on child labour in Tanzania indicate that the government in partnership with international actors has undertaken several intervention actions to control and eliminate child labour in the country. Yet, child labour continues to be dominant in virtually all economic sectors including small-scale gold mining for reasons not sufficiently known. This research sets out to explore the challenges that face anti-child labour actors in their efforts to control and reduce child labour in Kahama district in Shinyanga region. The study uses a qualitative methodology in order to gain an in-depth insight of the context, cultural realities, community members’ views and experiences relating to child labour in small-scale gold mining communities. A sample size of 38 participants was drawn from among regional and district government officials, non-governmental organization (NGO) workers and community-based organization (CBO) activists responsible for combating child labour, small-scale gold miners, parents and children in Shinyanga region. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and documents review. Findings revealed seven challenges facing anti-child labour actors in their efforts to combat child labour in small-scale gold mining communities all arising from within the household, local community and government contexts. The study recommends that the government, policy makers and other stakeholders should develop policy interventions that effectively address these challenges in order to eradicate child labour in small-scale gold mining communities in the country. Keywords: Child Labour, Small-Scale Gold Mining, Anti-Child Labour Actors, Challenges.

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