Mercury balance in amalgamation in artisanal and small-scale gold mining: identifying strategies for reducing environmental pollution in Portovelo-Zaruma,Ecuador

The gold ore mined by artisanal and small-scale miners in Portovelo-Zaruma, Ecuador, is processed in custom mills. Miners can choose between Chilean-mill processing centers, where the ore is ground, concentrated and amalgamated, or “Chancha” Centers, where the whole ore is amalgamated. By weighing mercury before and after all unit operations involved in the amalgamation process, it was possible to determine mercury losses. Analyses in eight centers indicated that 51–59% of mercury introduced into the amalgamation process is recovered when miners squeeze the excess mercury. Around 29% of total mercury is lost when miners burn amalgam and gold is melted, and 15% is lost with the tailings. When only gravity concentrates are amalgamated, 1.4% of mercury entering the process is lost with tailings, whereas 29.5% is lost when the whole ore is amalgamated. Approximately 1.5 tonnes/annum of mercury is released in Portovelo-Zaruma, from which 70% is evaporated and 30% is released with tailings. Mercury-contaminated tailings are leached with cyanide in agitated tanks. A large majority of the processing centers dispose the final tailings with mercury and cyanide into the Calera River and Amarillo River. Mercury dissolved with cyanide likely becomes more bioavailable than metallic mercury. A campaign for reducing mercury emissions must focus on the use of individual retorts – mercury pollution control devices – and the elimination of whole ore amalgamation.     

Clean artisanal gold mining: a utopian approach?

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) provides an important source of livelihood for rural communities throughout the world. These activities are frequently accompanied by extensive environmental degradation and deplorable socio-economic conditions, both during operations and well after mining activities have ceased. As gold is easily sold and not influenced by the instability of local governments, it is the main mineral extracted by artisanal miners. Mercury (Hg) amalgamation is the preferred gold recovery method employed by artisanal gold miners and its misuse can result in serious health hazards for miners involved in gold extraction, as well as for surrounding community inhabitants, who may be exposed to mercury via the food chain. The rudimentary techniques characteristic of ASM result in a number of occupational hazards, other although most risks are primarily attributed to machinery accidents and ground failure, such as landslides and shaft collapses.Several technologies and methods commonly utilized by large-scale mining operations can be downsized to smaller scale operations. However, the likelihood that miners will adopt these large-scale methods, or those developed specifically for ASM, depends upon some key factors. For an artisanal miner, these factors include: (1) increased or comparable simplicity, (2) quick recovery of the economic mineral, and (3) demonstrated financial gain. Other practical aspects, such as the availability of materials (chemicals, steel rods, piping, generators, etc), capital and operating cost requirements and access to technical support, also influence acceptance of new techniques.This article will review four inter-related areas: first, the limitations and benefits, for ASM, of a number of specific technologies; second, the role of Processing Centers in education, information dissemination and provision of “clean” services; third, benefits and challenges associated with formalization of ASM activities; and fourth, the contribution of ASM to the development of sustainability of communities, primarily through diversification of livelihoods. The appropriate application of technologies, particularly given the diversity of ASM communities around the world, will also be explored.     

Origin and consumption of mercury in small-scale gold mining

Mercury (Hg) is used by small-scale gold miners in more than 50 developing countries, where the accompanied releases affect human health and the environment. The objectives of this paper are to summarize present use of Hg in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) worldwide, reveal the origin of part of the Hg used by the gold miners, and propose appropriate actions to reduce the resulting Hg emissions. Significant releases of mercury are associated with inefficient amalgamation techniques. Releases are estimated to range from 800 to 1000 tonne/annum. Of this total, approximately 200–250 tonne of Hg are released in China, 100–150 tonne in Indonesia, and 10–30 tonne each in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Philippines, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. Mercury usually enters these countries legally – typically imported from countries in the European Union – although in some cases and in some years (e.g., Indonesia, Venezuela, etc.), the reported imports of Hg are far below estimated consumption. Meanwhile, the EU, while gradually replacing Hg products and processes with more environmentally benign alternatives, paradoxically continues to produce virgin Hg at government-owned mines, further exacerbating a general global oversupply of Hg – evident from its historically low market price. Political leadership is needed to avoid the transfer of excess Hg, and related health and environmental risks from the EU to third countries. Otherwise, the present situation will continue or even worsen, with no oversight or control of the global Hg trade in which the transfer of excess EU Hg to artisanal miners is favoured by low Hg prices relative to gold prices.     

A matter of approach: the retort's potential to reduce mercury consumption within small-scale gold mining settlements in Tanzania

The mercury-based gold extraction processes prevalent within small-scale mining are both efficient and harmful. While ensuring relatively high levels of gold recovery, they cause environmental and health problems for people living within mining settlements. This mercury consumption can be minimized by using a simple mercury recycling device known as a retort. While mining legislation in Tanzania dictates the use of retorts for gold recovery, virtually no miners use them, indicating the inadequacy of previous introduction attempts. During action research, retorts were introduced in two mining settlements through a thorough and participatory approach. Twenty miners were given retorts and their attitudes and receptiveness to them were studied. Of the recipients, 18 used the retorts over a period of five months, recycling 10 kilos of mercury. Less mercury was spilled into the environment and miners saved money normally spent on purchasing mercury. The findings have implications for the strategies of development interventions targeting mercury-instigated problems within small-scale gold mining.     

中国燃煤汞排放清单的初步建立

建立中国分省燃煤汞排放清单,对于研究汞的大气化学转化、迁移和沉降,制定中国汞污染控制对策具有重要意义.本研究按经济部门、燃料类型、燃烧方式和污染控制技术将排放源划分为65种不同类型,根据各类型的煤炭消费量、燃料汞含量和汞排放因子计算汞排放量,最终建立了分省燃煤汞排放清单.用2组原煤汞含量数据资料计算的2000年中国燃煤大气汞排放量分别为161.6 t和219.5 t,其中绝大部分汞排放来自工业、电力和生活消费,分别占46%、35%和14%.Hg⁰、Hg²⁺和Hg_p在中国燃煤大气汞排放中所占的比例分别为16%、61%和23%.中国燃煤汞排放在各地区间有较大差异,排放量较大的省份有河南、山西、河北、辽宁和江苏,均超过10t/a.     

燃煤机组超低排放改造对汞的脱除效果研究

燃煤烟气中汞污染的控制是目前重要的环保课题之一,燃煤电厂利用现有的脱硝、脱硫、除尘设备去除汞,文章分析燃煤电厂烟气净化设备超低排放改造后汞的排放水平,说明现有废气处理设施超低排放改造,既能有效降低烟尘、二氧化硫、氮氧化物排放浓度,也有利于汞的去除,燃煤机组超低排放改造后汞的排放浓度远低于现行0.03 mg/m3的限值;通过分析燃煤电厂现有烟气净化设备对汞的协同去除效果和脱除汞的原理,提出了未来燃煤烟气汞污染控制措施的建议.     

Mercury-free gold mining technologies: possibilities for adoption in the Guianas

The rudimentary nature of small-scale gold mining activities often generates a legacy of extensive degradation and deplorable social conditions, both during and after activities have ceased. Small-scale mining usually involves the extraction of secondary gold from placer deposits (alluvial, colluvial or elluvial), which can be liberated and treated using gravity methods. In the Guianas, the most popular form of small-scale gold mining is referred to as “land dredging”, a combination of hydraulicking and suction dredging. This method requires application of large volumes of water for both mining and mineral processing; in most cases, there are no containment structures for the waste tailings generated. Mercury, a dangerous pollutant, is the preferred method employed by small-scale miners for gold recovery. Gold extraction using mercury is comprised of the following four stages: (1) amalgamation, (2) separation of amalgamation, (3) removal of excess mercury, and (4) burning of the remaining amalgam to produce a gold sponge. Mercury can be released into the environment at each stage, which makes the promotion of mercury-free alternatives imperative.Technical alternatives for small-scale gold mining, however, must be thoroughly evaluated, pre-tested, modified accordingly and successfully transferred. Moreover, technology must be inexpensive, relatively simple and easy to adapt, while allowing a rapid rate of return. WWF-Guianas is working with the regulatory agencies and other relevant stakeholders of the Guianas to reduce the environmental footprints caused by small-scale mining. The major aspects of this program are to develop the capacity and regulatory mechanisms within the local government, to promote mercury-free technology, and monitor mercury in the environment. This paper reviews the alternative technologies being investigated by the WWF-Guianas for use in the small-scale gold mining industry.     

生活污水汞的排放及对市政污水中汞的贡献

对经市政管网排入北京某市政污水处理厂的生活污水进行了汞来源的调查研究。根据抽样定律确定了生活小区采样点的数量和位置,利用原子荧光光度计测定采样点的汞含量,并根据采样点的排水量计算采样点的汞排放量。结果表明：该区域生活小区污水中汞浓度与所处区域没有线性关系,且相关性不明显,汞污染呈面源污染的特点,该区域生活小区汞排放总量为376.8 g/d,对所属污水处理厂进水汞的贡献率为39.4%,表明生活小区是市政污水处理厂进水汞的主要来源,因此,从技术、管理、政策三方面对生活污水中汞的减排提出了对策和建议。     

医院含汞废物污染和减排对策探讨

以水银血压计和水银体温计为代表的医院用汞是目前汞污染的主要来源之一。简要分析了医院的主要涉汞产品、医院汞污染来源和对环境的影响,通过对北京市多家医院的实际调查,估算了医院含汞废物的产生量。提出了医院含汞废物减排的管理对策和措施建议,包括加快医院无汞产品的推广和应用,加强管理和培训,强化医院含汞废物的收集处置等。     

环境中汞的污染状况及监测

本文主要介绍环境中汞污染的来源；汞及其化合物的毒性，并且着重说明甲基汞对人类健康的损害状况；同时也介绍对环境中的无机汞和有机汞的监测分析方法，其中几种比较常用的甲基汞的分析方法。     

中国燃煤部门大气汞排放协同控制效果评估及未来预测

汞污染已成为一个全球性的环境问题,我国是世界上大气汞排放量最大的国家,在批准《关于汞的水俣公约》之后,我国的汞污染控制面临严峻的挑战.燃煤部门是我国大气汞排放的第一大部门,也是履约的重点部门.本研究建立了我国燃煤部门2010年和2012年的大气汞排放清单,评估了"大气污染防治行动计划"("大气十条")对燃煤部门大气汞排放的协同控制效果.同时,使用情景分析法,对2020年和2030年燃煤部门的大气汞排放进行了预测,分析了未来不同控制措施的减排效果.结果表明,2010年中国燃煤电厂、燃煤工业锅炉和民用燃煤炉灶的大气汞排放量的最佳估计值分别为100.0、72.5和18.0 t."大气十条"的实施可使我国燃煤部门到2017年比2012年减少92.5 t的大气汞排放.能源结构的调整、洗煤比例的提高和除尘设备的升级改造对于大气汞的减排效果最显著.在最佳估计情景下,2020年和2030年燃煤部门大气汞排放量分别为128.5和80.0 t,与2010年相比分别降低了33%和58%;在最严格控制情景下,2020年和2030年燃煤部门大气汞的排放量分别为103.2和50.9 t,相较2010年分别下降了46%和73%.     

大气汞对土壤─植物系统汞累积的影响研究

采用室内模拟试验的方法，研究了大气汞污染对土壤－植物系统的危害及其机理。结果表明，植物可吸收大气汞，也可吸收土壤汞，当植物汞源于气汞时，其地上部汞含量高于根部；源于土壤汞时，则根汞高于地上部汞。土壤汞累积的来源可能直接吸附大气汞，也来源于植物汞的输入。     

电石法聚氯乙烯行业履约的成本效益分析

构建汞物质平衡模型以识别高汞触媒及低汞触媒电石法聚氯乙烯(CCPVC)企业中汞的产生、转化和排放过程.进一步针对典型企业开展成本效益分析,比较通过低汞触媒替代来履行《关于汞的水俣公约》要求的各种方案.结果表明,案例企业将在履约的情况下,使废气和废水汞排放量分别减少25%和85.7%~98.9%,净效益增加50.7%~55.4%.案例企业最有利的选择将是在厂内回收废触媒并改进汞减排设施,但含汞固体废物的环境风险不可忽视.原因是《关于汞的水俣公约》侧重于CCPVC行业的汞输入而非汞排放.此外,目前的汞环境税率低于最优税率,无法为CCPVC企业提供足够的激励以控制汞排放.因此,为了提高《关于汞的水俣公约》的政策效力,有必要推动我国CCPVC行业汞物质平衡的构建,加强对含汞固体废物堆存的监管力度,提高汞排放的环境税率,并将所含的环境风险物质量作为固体废物的计税依据.     

Cyanidation of mercury-rich tailings in artisanal and small-scale gold mining: identifying strategies to manage environmental risks in Southern Ecuador

In many countries, such as Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Venezuela and Zimbabwe, amalgamated tailings are leached with cyanide to recover remaining gold. This paper describes a recently completed study conducted at seven gold processing centers in Portovelo-Zaruma, Southern Ecuador, which involved consultation with local miners. The objective of the study was to understand the behaviour of mercury (with a focus on mercury loss) in artisanal gold mining operations through the evaluation of two cyanidation processes (Merrill-Crowe and Carbon-in-pulp), using a participatory approach. In order to assess the kinetics of mercury dissolution in cyanide, a bottle roll test was conducted in the laboratory. In the Merrill-Crowe cyanidation process, an average of 24.2% of metallic mercury was determined to be trapped at the bottom of the agitation tanks; 33.1% of mercury is lost in association with solid material and 11.7% is lost in solution. Approximately 31.0% of mercury in solution is sent to the zinc precipitation cells from which 27.8% is precipitated on the zinc shavings, with 3.23% remaining in solution. The mercury precipitated on to the zinc is lost to the atmosphere when the shavings are burned at 900 °C. In the Carbon-in-pulp (CIP) leaching system, 11.2% of the mercury is lost with the solid tailings; 31.6% of the mercury is associated with fine particles in suspension and 50.8% is likely dissolved. About 2.68% is trapped at the bottom of the tank and 3.72% is absorbed by the activated carbon. The bottle roll test revealed that mercury dissolution is directly proportional to cyanide concentration. At 10 g/ton of cyanide, approximately 42% of mercury was leached, whereas all gold was solubilized. During this study, miners recognized the risk associated with the cyanidation of mercury-rich tailings, and were aware of how much mercury is discharged to local streams and to the atmosphere. The active participation of miners in this study has led to the strengthening of their knowledge and awareness of mercury contamination, and has enhanced their understanding of the nature of the problem, as well as the weaknesses and strengths of the system they operate.     

Volcanic mercury in Pinus canariensis

Mercury (Hg) is a toxic element that is emitted to the atmosphere by both human activities and natural processes. Volcanic emissions are considered a natural source of mercury in the environment. In some cases, tree ring records taken close to volcanoes and their relation to volcanic activity over time are contradictory. In 1949, the Hoyo Negro volcano (La Palma-Canary Islands) produced significant pyroclastic flows that damaged the nearby stand of Pinus canariensis. Recently, 60 years after the eruption, we assessed mercury concentrations in the stem of a pine which survived volcano formation, located at a distance of 50 m from the crater. We show that Hg content in a wound caused by pyroclastic impacts (22.3 μg kg^?1) is an order of magnitude higher than the Hg concentrations measured in the xylem before and after the eruption (2.3 μg kg^?1). Thus, mercury emissions originating from the eruption remained only as a mark—in pyroclastic wounds—and can be considered a sporadic and very high mercury input that did not affect the overall Hg input in the xylem. In addition, mercury contents recorded in the phloem (9.5 μg kg^?1) and bark (6.0 μg kg^?1) suggest that mercury shifts towards non-living tissues of the pine, an aspect that can be related to detoxification in volcanism-adapted species.     

上海老港垃圾填埋场中汞的释放规律研究

利用AMA 254-Automatic solid/liquid Hg Analyzer对上海老港垃圾填埋场不同年份封场单元上覆土壤中的汞进行了系统研究,发现垃圾填埋场的汞主要以气态形式进行扩散释放。上覆土壤中的汞含量与土壤自身的特性有关,上覆土壤中总有机碳、土壤总汞、易挥发汞和结合态汞之间具有明显的相关性,影响并控制着汞的释放,同时垃圾封场时间对垃圾填埋场中汞的释放有明显影响。不同成熟度垃圾的上覆土壤中汞都具有次表面样品总汞含量高于表面样品的特点,但变化趋势不同。     

全自动烷基汞分析仪测定水中烷基汞的方法研究

建立了全自动烷基汞分析仪测定水中的烷基汞(甲基汞,乙基汞)的方法.实验中衍生化反应所用的试剂为含有2.0 mol/L醋酸缓冲液,1%(g/v)NaBEt4(四乙基硼化钠)和1%(g/v)NaBPr4(四丙基硼化钠)的2%(g/v)氢氧化钾-水溶液,经衍生化的水样直接吹扫捕集后,进入气相色谱柱中分离并高温裂解,最后进入冷原子荧光检测器(CVAFS)中检测甲基汞和乙基汞的含量.甲基汞和乙基汞的方法检出限分别为0.002 ng/L和0.005 ng/L.     

污染场地地下水中汞污染反应运移模拟

汞（Hg）是人们持续关注的全球环境污染物之一,其对地下水的污染严重威胁着与地下水相关的生态环境系统.汞在地下水系统中的物理与地球化学反应过程的准确刻画是研究汞迁移转化规律的重点和难点.基于某工业场地汞污染数据,首先采用PHREEQC研究地下水中无机二价汞的存在形态,然后利用PHT3D程序建立汞污染物反应性溶质运移二维剖面模型.该模型考虑了汞污染物在地下水系统中的对流、弥散过程及地球化学反应过程（包括水相络合作用、表面络合吸附作用及受动力学控制的氧化还原作用）.结果表明,无机二价汞的存在形态以HgCl₂和Hg（OH）Cl占主导地位,氧化还原作用是影响地下水中汞污染反应性运移的主要控制因素;另一方面,水合氧化铁HFO对汞迁移的阻滞影响较小,而溶解性有机质对汞较强的络合作用不能忽视.本文研究成果可为预测与评估特定污染场地地下水汞污染的变化趋势及制定相应的修复策略提供科学依据.     

Framing adaptation to climate-related extreme events

Whilst mitigation has dominated policy and research agendas in recent years there is an increasing recognition that communities also need to be preparing for change that is unavoidable, partially a consequence of anthropogenic greenhouse gases already emitted to the atmosphere. The perceived need for adaptation has also received additional impetus through the high public profile now given to the impacts of current day weather variability, particularly the significant economic and social costs associated with recent extreme events. However, being a relatively new focus for both research and policy communities; practical evidence of the extent, feasibility, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of potential adaptation options remains largely lacking. In response, this paper seeks to make a contribution to this embryonic but evolving knowledge base by considering the theoretical underpinnings of adaptation and ultimately how this translates into practice ‘in the real world’. The analytical commentary, based on a bottom-up approach involving iterative engagement with key stakeholders and experts, reflects on the identification of measures that are either innovative or examples of good practice in reducing or transferring climate risks, as well as considering those ‘enabling’ institutional structures and processes that act to support implementation on the ground. The paper concludes by synthesising the key findings to date in order to highlight some of the opportunities for, and barriers to, adaptation activity.     

Economic benefits from decreased mercury emissions: Projections for 2020

Anthropogenic processes have increased the exposure of humans and wildlife to toxic methyl mercury (MeHg). Mercury emissions will increase by about 25% between 2005 and 2020, if the present trajectory is maintained. A global assessment of societal damages caused by the ingestion of methyl mercury, based merely on loss of IQ (Intelligence Quotient), suggests that the annual cost will be approximately US$3.7 billion (2005 dollars) in 2020. The corresponding cost of damages resulting from the inhalation of methyl mercury is estimated at US$2.9 million (2005 dollars). Under a higher degree of emission control such as in the case of the Extended Emission Control (EXEC) and the Maximum Feasible Technological Reduction (MFTR) scenarios, total emissions could decrease in the period 2005–2020 by about 50–60%. The corresponding annual benefits in 2020 are estimated to be about US$1.8–2.2 billion (2005 dollars). Large economic benefits can be achieved by reducing global mercury emissions.