Decontaminating networks: Mercury supply, financial flows, and informal gold mining in West Africa
This policy brief addresses mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASM) in West Africa and highlights the environmental and socio-economic impacts.
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Hilson et al Policy brief August 2024.pdf
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- The brief addresses mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASM) in West Africa and highlights the environmental and socio-economic impacts.
- Research was driven by the Minamata Convention, which seeks to reduce mercury pollution but is often misinterpreted in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Findings show rural economies’ heavy reliance on mercury-based gold processing, exposing vulnerable women to significant health and economic disadvantages.
- Current National Action Plans inadequately address ASM’s complexities, requiring more nuanced policies considering gender dynamics and economic dependencies.