Artisanal gold mining in guinea and security concerns
1 Faculty of geoecology at the Irkutsk National Research Technical University (Russian Federation), Russia.
2 Processing and Metallurgy Department at the Higher Institute of Mining and Geology of Boké , Republic of Guinea.
Review Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 22(01), 124–130
Publication history:
Received on 22 February 2024; revised on 28 March 2024; accepted on 31 March 2024
Abstract:
One of the continents richest in gold reserves is Africa. According to the World Bank, about 20 % of gold in African countries is still mined using artisanal methods. There is no officially recognized, generally accepted definition of artisanal small-scale gold mining. In essence, artisanal or small-scale gold mining is a labor-intensive, financially and technologically underdeveloped gold mining activity. Artisanal gold mining can be either informal, illegal, without state permission, or formal (legalized, streamlined). In the modern world, artisanal mining in African countries is experiencing rapid growth after their liberation from colonial oppression. The paper examines the environmental costs or ecological footprint of artisanal gold mining, such as: mercury intoxication of ecosystems, gold miners and local populations; deforestation, destruction of ecosystems; pollution of watercourses; industrial injuries and occupational diseases of gold miners; crime and social instability. Practical recommendations for improving safety are given.
Keywords:
Artisanal Gold Mining; Environmental Harm; Mercury Intoxication; Pollution; Industrial Injuries; Occupational Diseases.
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