By Mohammed Zunurene
To help in addressing the myriad of negative health and environmental implications of the use of mercury and other heavy metals in the mining industry in Ghana, artisanal and small-scale miners have been encouraged to be receptive to new environmentally friendly and efficient mining technologies in their activities to safeguard the health of both the current and unborn generations.
A lecturer and researcher at the Environment and Safety Department of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Dr. Eric Gyimah gave the advice while addressing a group of artisanal miners and other key stakeholders including the Environmental Protection Agency, Minerals Commission and the Ghana Education Service on the Health implications of the use of Heavy Metals in Small -scale mining in Tarkwa at the UMat Conference Hall on Tuesday.
The workshop which was aimed at promoting zero mercury usage was part of a TechCamp project sponsored by the US Embassy through UMat to help in education and awareness creation on the harmful effects of improper heavy metals usage in mining.
Dr. Gyamfi said the dangers posed by mercury that find its way into the environment should be a matter of concern for all.
“One may think that the mercury affects only those on site but no. Mercury could travel as far as two kilometers from the point of release through the atmosphere and the cycle is so simple: it gets into the atmosphere, it gets onto the ice and it falls bath onto the earth surface. Through runoff it gets into water bodies and it joins the food chain. It is so complex that it does not stop at where it is released. It chases us everywhere,” He explained.
Dr. Eric Gyamfi expressed worry that a better and safer technology developed by UMaT’s Professor Amankwah was not embraced by the small scale miners but gave the assurance that they will not relent in their quest to come out with better alternatives.
“We’ve not lost hope. We are coming out with other safe relatively cheaper alternatives for them because the point is that they will surely hit the ground for their gold so if we do not want the mercury in the environment what then becomes the alternative methods for them? So we are joining forces and making sure that there will be a better alternative for them” Dr. Gyamfi disclosed.
The Public Relations Officer for the Tarkwa Branch of the Small Scale Miners Association, Mr. Napoleon Tanoh, expressed appreciation for the education and was hopeful that the message will reach all their members and be put to good use.
“We ensured that all our communities that are engaged in mining activities are here so that they can carry the message about the many harmful impacts of mercury to the other members so that we can all be careful in handling it to preserve our lives on earth,” He said.
Speaking at the event, the lead coordinator for the project and CEO for Goshen Global Visions, Mrs. Mary Perpetual Kwakuyi outlined some of the health conditions that have become common due to the inappropriate use of mercury such as birth defects, kidney and liver damage and others, which according to her, calls for increased advocacy and provision of safer options. She said this is not the time to allocate blame to any group or persons but to figure out what we can use in place of mercury.
“As we go and come, livelihood must go on but in trying to find our livelihood, we should not poison ourselves in the process,” She said.
