By ZiMining Reporter
SMALL scale miners in Zimbabwe risk suffering from terminal health problems due to their exposure to mercury in their mining process, ZiMining can reveal.
A survey carried out by ZiMining at Gaika Mine and Patchway mine in the Midlands Province, showed that mercury, which is used in the processing of gold, poses health risks to both the small scale miners and their dependents.
survey also showed that the government is taking a lackadaisical approach to tackle the health threats faced by small scale miners caused by their exposure to mercury emissions.
The findings exposed shocking revelations of artisanal miners who are dying due to their susceptibility to mercury, especially women and children.
In an interview with ZiMining, Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) Senior Programs Officer, Nyaradzo Mutonhori spoke on the toxicity of mercury, saying the dangerous substance is used by miners without following proper care, thus posing a threat to their health.
An improper exposure to mercury can affect the central nervous system, lungs and kidneys.
“Mercury is highly toxic and it is a great threat to human health. Its threats include damaging the central nervous system, lungs and kidneys,” said Mutonhori.
Mutonhori also added that the government should take a leading role in ensuring the safety of small scale miners, given their notable contribution to the economy.
“Government has a responsibility to ensure that they monitor growing miners because they contribute more to the revenue of the country,” she said.
Mutonhori said women who are exposed to mercury are prone to suffer from a weak reproductive system, and are vulnerable to miscarriages.
“Mercury has a potential of damaging the reproductive system in women, which can lead to miscarriages,” she added
In 2013, Zimbabwe entered into the Minamana Convention with other countries, in which they agreed to protect stakeholders from mercury emissions. Article 16 of the of the convention states that: Parties are encouraged to:
(a) Promote the development and implementation of strategies and programmes to identify and protect populations at risk, particularly vulnerable populations, and which may include adopting science-based health guidelines relating to the exposure to mercury and mercury compounds, setting targets for mercury exposure reduction, where appropriate, and public education, with the participation of public health and other involved sectors;
(b) Promote the development and implementation of science-based educational and preventive programmes on occupational exposure to mercury and mercury compounds;
(c) Promote appropriate health-care services for prevention, treatment and care for populations affected by the exposure to mercury or mercury compounds; and
(d) Establish and strengthen, as appropriate, the institutional and health professional capacities for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of health risks related to the exposure to mercury and mercury compounds.
By failing to take remedial action against the health threatening impact of mercury, the Zimbabwean government is in contravention to the Minamata convention.
ZELA is currently educating women on how they can get rid of the mercury emissions in their daily mining activities.
“Currently we are educating women on how they can get rid of mercury emissions in their daily mining activities,” said Mutonhori.
