Mercury-Free Gold Mining: Health, Environmental, and Biodiversity Impacts of Mercury Use
Introduction
By: Bruce A. Cosgrove, BSc, MSc | Independent Scientific Researcher, November 06, 2025
An estimated 15–20 million artisanal and small-scale gold miners produce 20–25% of global gold supply, valued at approximately USD $30 billion annually, largely through mercury-based extraction methods (UNEP Global Mercury Partnership, 2023).
Mercury exposure presents severe risks to human health. As a potent neurotoxin, it affects neurological, immune, digestive, and endocrine systems, contributing to conditions such as memory loss, tremors, neuromuscular impairment, and long-term cognitive decline (WHO, 2024).
Environmental impacts are equally significant. Mercury released during processing enters air and water systems, where it is converted into methylmercury, accumulating in ecosystems and food chains and affecting biodiversity and human populations alike.
👉 These conditions highlight the need for botanical extraction systems capable of eliminating mercury use while maintaining efficient gold recovery in artisanal mining environments →
Manipueira Gold Recovery Technology introduces a four-stage ESG-aligned strategy designed to replace mercury and synthetic cyanide systems with a plant-based alternative that enables safer, faster, and more sustainable gold recovery.
Full references and supporting research are provided in the complete presentation accessed here 👉 Four-stage ESG aligned transformative strategy Action Plan →
### Scientific Context
This article is grounded in applied botanical systems research and connects to the following peer-reviewed and technical publications:
👉 Botanical Alternatives: Toward Safer, Evidence-Based Gold Recovery→
👉 Ecuador Four-Stage Action Plan for Botanical Lixiviant Systems →