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Abandoned artisanal gold mines in the Brazilian Amazon: A legacy of mercury pollution

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  • Marcello M. Veiga
  • Jennifer J. Hinton

Abstract

The modern gold rush in the Brazilian Amazon attracted millions of people to become artisanal miners in order to escape complete social marginalization. The rudimentary nature of artisanal mining activities often generates a legacy of extensive environmental degradation,both during operations and well after mining activities have ceased. One of the most significant environmental impacts is derived from the use of mercury (Hg), which is illegal for use in gold amalgamation in Brazil, but continues to be the preferred method employed by artisanal gold miners. The general population is unaware of the capricious nature of mercury and artisanal mining activities. Moreover, individuals in positions of political or economic infiuence tend to be negatively biased towards artisanal mining and government policies do not effectively address the realities of these activities. Affected communities have consequently been ignored,and mistrust towards outside parties is high. Not surprisingly, miners are suspicious of and unlikely to employ externally derived solutions to reduce mercury emissions. This article reviews the use of mercury in artisanal mining and highlights the role miners, governments and non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) have played in communicating facts, perpetuating myths and deriving solutions for mercury pollution. This article also raises some key concerns that must be addressed to understand the behaviour of mercury in the environment and identifies solutions for problems facing communities where artisanal gold mining operations have been abandoned.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcello M. Veiga & Jennifer J. Hinton, 2002. "Abandoned artisanal gold mines in the Brazilian Amazon: A legacy of mercury pollution," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 26(1), pages 15-26, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:natres:v:26:y:2002:i:1:p:15-26
    DOI: 10.1111/1477-8947.00003
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Samuel J. Spiegel, 2009. "Labour challenges and mercury management at gold mills in Zimbabwe: Examining production processes and proposals for change," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 33(3), pages 221-232, August.
    2. Verina Ingram & Julius Chupezi Tieguhong & Jolien Schure & Eric Nkamgnia & Maurice Henri Tadjuidje, 2011. "Where artisanal mines and forest meet: Socio‐economic and environmental impacts in the Congo Basin," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 35(4), pages 304-320, November.
    3. Marieke Heemskerk, 2003. "Risk attitudes and mitigation among gold miners and others in the Suriname rainforest," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 27(4), pages 267-278, November.
    4. Fred A. Otchere & Marcello M. Veiga & Jennifer J. Hinton & Renato A. Farias & Robert Hamaguchi, 2004. "Transforming open mining pits into fish farms: Moving towards sustainability," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 28(3), pages 216-223, August.
    5. Gavin Hilson, 2005. "Strengthening artisanal mining research and policy through baseline census activities," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 29(2), pages 144-153, May.
    6. Bansah, Kenneth Joseph & Acquah, Paul Junior & Boafo, Abigail, 2024. "Land, water, and forest degradation in artisanal and small-scale mining: Implications for environmental sustainability and community wellbeing," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    7. Queiroz, Julia & Gasparinetti, Pedro & Bakker, Leonardo B. & Lobo, Felipe & Nagel, Gustavo, 2022. "Socioeconomic cost of dredge boat gold mining in the Tapajós basin, eastern Amazon," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    8. Fernando Morante-Carballo & Néstor Montalván-Burbano & Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar & Paúl Carrión-Mero, 2022. "A Bibliometric Analysis of the Scientific Research on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-29, July.
    9. Knud Sinding, 2005. "The dynamics of artisanal and small‐scale mining reform," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 29(3), pages 243-252, August.

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