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Essay On Gold Mining

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In the use/extraction (for all organisms) Dirty gold mining has destroyed landscapes, contaminated water supplies, and contributed to the destruction of vital ecosystems. Cyanide and mercury, along with other toxic substances are regularly released into the atmosphere because of dirty gold mining. (Gold Mining and the Environment, n. d.)

Modern industrial gold mining destroys landscapes and creates huge amounts of toxic waste. Because of the continued use of dirty practices, like open pit mining and cyanide heap leaching, mining companies generate about 20 tons of toxic waste every 0.333-ounce gold ring. The waste, which is usually a gray liquid, is laden with deadly cyanide and other toxic heavy metals. Many gold mines dump their waste …show more content…

Mercury, which is a liquid metal, is used in artisanal and small-scale gold mining to extract gold from rock and sediment. Unfortunately, mercury is toxic that causes issues on miners’ health, not to mention the health of the planet. For every gram of gold produced, artisanal gold miners release about 2 grams of mercury into the environment. When combined, the world’s 10 to 15 million artisanal gold miners release about 1,000 tons of mercury into the environment every year which is equivalent to 35% of man-made mercury pollution. Artisanal gold mining is among the leading causes of global mercury pollution, ahead of coal-fired power plants. When mercury enters the atmosphere or reaches rivers, lakes, and oceans, it can travel great distances. About 70% of the amount of mercury in the United States came from international sources. Still more mercury reaches the United States through imported fish. Once mercury reaches a resting place, it cannot be moved easily. Sediments on the floor of San Francisco Bay remain contaminated with mercury because of the California gold rush of the 19th century. Mercury is extremely harmful to human health. The amount of vapor released by mining activities is proven to damage the kidneys, liver, brain, heart, lungs, colon, and immune system. Continued exposure to mercury may cause fatigue, weight loss, tremors, and shifts in

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