Chemical hazards in the artisanal gold sector: Impacts of mercury, cyanide and silica dust on human health and environment

This brochure provides a brief overview on the health and environmental impacts of mercury, cyanide and silica dust in the sector. Chemical risks do not only affect miners, but also their communities. Mercury and cyanide are both highly toxic to human health. However, only mercury persists in the environment and can travel long distances in the environment. Exposure to very fine silica dust is a common hazard in hard rock mining, but one that can easily be prevented