A mercury-free plant-based alternative to sustainably recover more gold.
A mercury-free plant-based alternative to sustainably recover more gold.
Author: Bruce A. Cosgrove, BSc, MSc | Independent Scientific Researcher, May 05, 2026
Introduction
It is well documented that ~ 15–20 million impoverished artisanal and small-scale gold (ASG) miners worldwide- all largely suspected of having undiagnosed mercury (Hg) poisoning, collectively produce 20 – 25% of the world’s total annual gold (Au) supply valued at ~ USD $30 billion mostly using mercury (UNEP Global Mercury Partnership report, 2023).
However, their reliance on mercury —a potent neurotoxin poses severe risks to human health affecting the digestive, damage to the central nervous system, immune system, pulmonary, and thyroid systems, and leading to neurological conditions such as memory loss, insomnia, tremors, neuromuscular impairment, headaches, and even paralysis according to the World Health Organization (WHO) (Mercury, 2024; Mercury and Health Fact Sheet, 2017).
Plant-based systems offer a viable replacement for both mercury-driven artisanal practices and conventional cyanide-based extraction methods, providing a pathway toward non-toxic hydrometallurgical systems.
👉 Plant-based systems offer a viable replacement for both mercury-driven artisanal practices and conventional cyanide-based extraction methods, which continue to dominate gold recovery despite well-documented environmental risks →
Manipueira Gold Recovery Technology developed a four-stage ESG aligned transformational strategy Action Plan designed to provide a plant-based alternative solution proven to sustainably recover more gold safely and faster than by using mercury or synthetic cyanide salts.
👉 Full references and supporting research are provided in the complete presentation which can be 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 →