Mercury-Free Gold Recovery Action Plan | S. Ecuador

Ecuador Four-Stage Action Plan for Botanical Lixiviant Systems

Author: Bruce A. Cosgrove, BSc, MSc | Independent Scientific Researcher | Publication Preprint: ResearchGate | November 06, 2025

Structured Research Record

DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.10793.66400 →

Structured Record:Wikidata → 

Introduction

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.  

Continue Reading: 👉 Four-stage ESG aligned transformative strategy Action Plan →

System Context

Scientific Context

This article is grounded in applied botanical systems research and connects to the following publications:

👉 Explore Botanical Systems Formulations™ →

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