Botanical Alternatives for Safer Gold Recovery | BACosgrove

This article examines botanical alternatives to mercury-based gold recovery in artisanal mining systems.

The continued use of mercury, a potent neurotoxin in artisanal and small-scale gold mining remains one of the most persistent environmental and public-health challenges associated with mineral extraction. Despite decades of awareness, mercury amalgamation persists due to its simplicity, low cost, and accessibility, particularly in low-resource mining contexts.

Recent research has explored botanical and plant-derived chemical systems as potential low-toxicity alternatives for gold mobilization and recovery. When evaluated through solution chemistry and controlled processing frameworks, these approaches offer a scientifically grounded pathway toward reducing mercury dependence while maintaining practical viability.

This approach mirrors broader applications of botanical chemistry, where functional plant-derived compounds are evaluated rigorously for performance, safety, and long-term impact — principles that also inform work in nutritional and wellness domains.

Full references and supporting research are provided in the complete article. Read the full article on Research Gate:

Read: Botanical Alternatives: Toward Safer, Evidence-Based Gold Recovery

Topics: botanical chemistry, low-toxicity extraction, mercury-free gold recovery, sustainable mining.