Mercury and CO₂ emissions from artisanal gold mining in | ResearchBunny

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Abstract

This study investigates mercury and energy use at 47 artisanal gold mining (ASGM) sites in the Tapajós River basin, Brazil. It finds that 1.7 kg of mercury is used per kg of gold extracted, with only 0.19 kg released into the environment when retorts are used. This results in an annual release of at least 2.5 tonnes of mercury. ASGM also contributes significantly to climate change, releasing about 16,000 kg of CO₂ equivalent per kilogram of gold.

Publisher

Nature Sustainability

Published On

Jan 01, 2024

Authors

Benjamin Fritz, Bernhard Peregovich, Lorena da Silva Tenório, Adria Cristina da Silva Alves, Mario Schmidt

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