Gold mining sans mercury; Philippines - It is possible, mining without mercury, but the will to do so must be there

(Source photo)

Gold mining sans mercury

Miners in Gaang use Borax

14/15-10-2014  By Dexter A. See, Manila Standard Today, Philippines


BALBALAN, Kalinga—An American engineer, who is considered an expert on safe mining methods, said on Tuesday small-scale miners in this remote mountain municipality have adopted a new way of extracting gold without using mercury, and they have succeeded in preserving a healthy environment.

Dr. Rasmus Rasmussen, a mining engineer from the University of Copenhagen, said hundreds of miners that pan for gold in the river use the borax sluice box, a mercury-free practice of extracting gold from ore.

“The success of the project in Gaang to convert almost all the miners is exemplary and fantastic, and this is world news,” Rasmussen said.

Pocket miners in other countries such as Papaua New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia, and North America usually separate the gold by soaking g rinded ore in mercury solution. The miners in Gaang use Borax, a cleansing agent used in manufacture of glass and porcelain, instead.

Small-scale mining in Gaang is a multi-million industry. The town produces around two to three tons of high grade gold annually.

Rasmussen said Gaang was a successful artisanal small-scale gold mining to adopt a mercury-free mining practice and “the commitment shown by miners to get rid of harmful chemical is worth emulating in other parts of the world.”

“The miners should not be punished for mining natural resources. Their effort to change from mercury mining into a more responsible mining practice should be recognized and awarded,” he said.

The  Banao Bodong Association, a community regulating body respected by the native tribes, has banned the use of mercury because of its bad effect on the health and environment.

Miners, who refuse to adopt safe mining methods will be banned from the community and will be driver out of the village, according to association officials.

Mayor Kennth Mangaoang commended the miners for being receptive to change and said it will translate to overall benefit for the community and the people, especially the next generation of small-scale miners.

Gov. Jocel Baac said the shift in mining methods in Gaang mines will contribute to reducing the high traces of mercury in the Chico River, making the river useful for people living in low-lying communities.

Note:
Gold mining sans mercury; Philippines - It is possible, mining without mercury, but the will to do so must be there and that will is not there among the Suriname small scale gold miners.....they keep on using the prohibited mercury and they keep on destroying the biodiversity and poison the water in creeks, rivers and lakes which water is used by indigenous and maroon people in the hinterland. No real action is taken by the government against those miners.

Gold mining sans mercury; Philippines - It is possible, mining without mercury, but the will to do so must be there

(Source photo)

Gold mining sans mercury

Miners in Gaang use Borax

14/15-10-2014  By Dexter A. See, Manila Standard Today, Philippines


BALBALAN, Kalinga—An American engineer, who is considered an expert on safe mining methods, said on Tuesday small-scale miners in this remote mountain municipality have adopted a new way of extracting gold without using mercury, and they have succeeded in preserving a healthy environment.

Dr. Rasmus Rasmussen, a mining engineer from the University of Copenhagen, said hundreds of miners that pan for gold in the river use the borax sluice box, a mercury-free practice of extracting gold from ore.

“The success of the project in Gaang to convert almost all the miners is exemplary and fantastic, and this is world news,” Rasmussen said.

Pocket miners in other countries such as Papaua New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia, and North America usually separate the gold by soaking g rinded ore in mercury solution. The miners in Gaang use Borax, a cleansing agent used in manufacture of glass and porcelain, instead.

Small-scale mining in Gaang is a multi-million industry. The town produces around two to three tons of high grade gold annually.

Rasmussen said Gaang was a successful artisanal small-scale gold mining to adopt a mercury-free mining practice and “the commitment shown by miners to get rid of harmful chemical is worth emulating in other parts of the world.”

“The miners should not be punished for mining natural resources. Their effort to change from mercury mining into a more responsible mining practice should be recognized and awarded,” he said.

The  Banao Bodong Association, a community regulating body respected by the native tribes, has banned the use of mercury because of its bad effect on the health and environment.

Miners, who refuse to adopt safe mining methods will be banned from the community and will be driver out of the village, according to association officials.

Mayor Kennth Mangaoang commended the miners for being receptive to change and said it will translate to overall benefit for the community and the people, especially the next generation of small-scale miners.

Gov. Jocel Baac said the shift in mining methods in Gaang mines will contribute to reducing the high traces of mercury in the Chico River, making the river useful for people living in low-lying communities.

Note:
Gold mining sans mercury; Philippines - It is possible, mining without mercury, but the will to do so must be there and that will is not there among the Suriname small scale gold miners.....they keep on using the prohibited mercury and they keep on destroying the biodiversity and poison the water in creeks, rivers and lakes which water is used by indigenous and maroon people in the hinterland. No real action is taken by the government against those miners.

Suriname verdient niets aan kleinschalige goudwinning

Goudzoekers negeren belasting-verplichtingen 
  
Sector kost alleen miljoenen Srd’s door werk Commissie Ordening Goudsector

13-10-2014

Paramaribo - Suriname verdient nog steeds niet aan de kleinschalige goudwinning. Hoewel er meer dan 30.000 mensen werkzaam zijn in de goudsector levert deze, in de huidige situatie, onvoldoende inkomsten voor het land, doordat personen die wel verdienen in de sector niet voldoen aan hun belastingplichten. Dit bericht vandaag, maandag 13 oktober 2014, het Dagblad Suriname.

15.000 Personen die werkzaam zijn in de goudwinning zijn buitenlanders en hebben momenteel een illegale status. Dat staat in de begroting van het dienstjaar 2015 van het ministerie van Natuurlijke Hulpbronnen.

Om te kunnen verdienen aan de kleinschalige goudwinning had de regering op 10 december 2010 (en niet zoals het Dagblad Suriname schrijft 20 decembee 2012) de Commissie Ordening Goudsector, onder leiding van Gerold Dompig, in het leven geroepen. Er is vanaf het ontstaan van de commissie tientallen miljoenen uitgegeven om ordening te brengen in de kleinschalige goudwinning. Dit jaar wordt er wederom een bedrag van ruim Srd 17 miljoen gereserveerd voor de commissie.

Volgens het ABOP-Assembleelid Marinus Bee moet de commissie opgedoekt worden, omdat het nog steeds geen resultaten heeft geboekt. Zoals de opzet in het begin was, vond Bee die goed. Naderhand bleek volgens hem, dat de ordening haar doel heeft gemist.

‘De illegale porknokkers zouden een legale status krijgen en ook terrein om te werken. De Staat zou meer aan belasting innen uit deze kleinschalige goudsector. Niets hiervan is bereikt, het rendement evenaart de nul, terwijl we elk jaar zien dat er miljoenen worden opgebracht op de begroting van Natuurlijke Hulpbronnen voor de ordening. Ik ben bereid de discussie aan te gaan met wie dan ook over de output. Een van de belangrijkste redenen voor het falen van de ordening in de goudsector is ook dat het vertrouwen tussen het veld en de commissie totaal is geschaad’, aldus Bee.

Suriname verdient niets aan kleinschalige goudwinning

Goudzoekers negeren belasting-verplichtingen 
  
Sector kost alleen miljoenen Srd’s door werk Commissie Ordening Goudsector

13-10-2014

Paramaribo - Suriname verdient nog steeds niet aan de kleinschalige goudwinning. Hoewel er meer dan 30.000 mensen werkzaam zijn in de goudsector levert deze, in de huidige situatie, onvoldoende inkomsten voor het land, doordat personen die wel verdienen in de sector niet voldoen aan hun belastingplichten. Dit bericht vandaag, maandag 13 oktober 2014, het Dagblad Suriname.

15.000 Personen die werkzaam zijn in de goudwinning zijn buitenlanders en hebben momenteel een illegale status. Dat staat in de begroting van het dienstjaar 2015 van het ministerie van Natuurlijke Hulpbronnen.

Om te kunnen verdienen aan de kleinschalige goudwinning had de regering op 10 december 2010 (en niet zoals het Dagblad Suriname schrijft 20 decembee 2012) de Commissie Ordening Goudsector, onder leiding van Gerold Dompig, in het leven geroepen. Er is vanaf het ontstaan van de commissie tientallen miljoenen uitgegeven om ordening te brengen in de kleinschalige goudwinning. Dit jaar wordt er wederom een bedrag van ruim Srd 17 miljoen gereserveerd voor de commissie.

Volgens het ABOP-Assembleelid Marinus Bee moet de commissie opgedoekt worden, omdat het nog steeds geen resultaten heeft geboekt. Zoals de opzet in het begin was, vond Bee die goed. Naderhand bleek volgens hem, dat de ordening haar doel heeft gemist.

‘De illegale porknokkers zouden een legale status krijgen en ook terrein om te werken. De Staat zou meer aan belasting innen uit deze kleinschalige goudsector. Niets hiervan is bereikt, het rendement evenaart de nul, terwijl we elk jaar zien dat er miljoenen worden opgebracht op de begroting van Natuurlijke Hulpbronnen voor de ordening. Ik ben bereid de discussie aan te gaan met wie dan ook over de output. Een van de belangrijkste redenen voor het falen van de ordening in de goudsector is ook dat het vertrouwen tussen het veld en de commissie totaal is geschaad’, aldus Bee.

Miners risk death in Burkina Faso gold rush - Gold miners continue working with dangerous chemicals, such as mercury, despite health related risks.

Gold mining is seeing a surge in popularity in Burkina Faso as thousands head to the mines, prompted by the rising price of the precious metal.

Many of the country's young farmers have given up tending to their fields, and are risking their lives working near dangerous chemicals such as mercury. The toxic chemical is an environmental and health hazard, but continues to be used to extract gold from the earth.

 Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque reports from Zoula in western Burkina Faso.

Miners risk death in Burkina Faso gold rush - Gold miners continue working with dangerous chemicals, such as mercury, despite health related risks.

Gold mining is seeing a surge in popularity in Burkina Faso as thousands head to the mines, prompted by the rising price of the precious metal.

Many of the country's young farmers have given up tending to their fields, and are risking their lives working near dangerous chemicals such as mercury. The toxic chemical is an environmental and health hazard, but continues to be used to extract gold from the earth.

 Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque reports from Zoula in western Burkina Faso.

Illegal gold miners face arrest: Zambia

Yaluma (Source: Zambian Eye)

Illegal gold miners face arrest

11-10-2014  By SYLVESTER MWALE, Times of Zambia


MINES, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma says security wings have managed to trace some illegal gold miners and dealers on the black market in the ongoing investigations.

The ministry sent investigators in August to probe reports of illegal gold mining and exploration by some companies in different parts of the country.

This followed reports that some companies were mining and exporting the precious stone in the pretence of copper.

Mr Yaluma said in an interview during the week that the investigations had revealed that illegal gold mining was being done in Chibombo and Vubwi in Central and Eastern respectively.

 “A good quantity of gold has been taken away and the Government would soon announce the arrest of those behind the illegal activity. The investigations are still going on, but we have realised that there are illegal miners of gold especially in Chibombo and Vubwi in Eastern Province.

“We have enforced the security – both government security and private to ensure that these people are arrested and we will soon get them arrested because the security is closing in,” he said.

He said most of the gold that was being mined at the moment was being sold on the black market and the Government has managed to identify some individuals and institutions behind the scam.
The minister also revealed that some investors had expressed interest to come with a processing plant that would help to refine the gold in a formalised manner.

Unlike at the moment when most of the precious stone is illegally exported, the investors hope to come up with a plant that would help refine the gold.

It is believed that the business has boomed as miners are finding it easy to mine unlike other mineral products like copper where heavy duty machines are needed.

The Government had issued a stern warning in August that it would not spare companies that were illegally exploring and exporting gold without making a declaration.

While Eastern and Central have been identified as provinces with high rates of illegal gold mining, Copperbelt and North-Western provinces have also reportedly been highly affected.

Noot:
Zo kan het dus ook: arresteren. Neen, in Suriname krijgen illegale goudzoekers gewoon een nieuw werkgebied toegewezen, nadat ze eerst unieke stukken tropisch regenwoud hebben verwoest en kreken, rivieren en het stuwmeer met kwik hebben vervuild.....