[CivicAccess-discuss] The Use of Mercury in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining - How We Can Play a Role in Creating Solutions

[Sasha Kebo]

Here's a free event taking place in Ottawa.

 

Thanks,

 

Sasha Kebo, MES

Project Manager-GIS | Directeur de Projet-SIG

Tel: 613-237-4815 | Fax: 416-926-1907 <mailto:skebo at pollutionprobe.org> 
skebo at pollutionprobe.org



 

You're invited! Save the Date - Monday, February 8, 2010 for An Evening
Forum on The Use of Mercury in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining 

 

Please join Pollution Probe for an evening forum to learn about the global
challenge of reducing mercury use in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining
(ASGM) in developing countries.  Come and learn how Canadians can contribute
to developing solutions.  

 

We look forward to a lively discussion with our panel of experts from the
United Nations Environment Programme, the Natural Resources Defence Council
and the Artisanal Gold Council.

 

Event Details: 

Monday, February 8, 2010

7:00-9:00 pm (refreshments at 6:30 p.m.)

Crowne Plaza Ottawa, Richelieu Room 

101 Lyon Street

Ottawa, Ontario 

 

No admission fee. Registration is not necessary.

 

For more information, contact Julie Sommerfreund at

jsommerfreund at pollutionprobe.org or 416-926-1907 x234

 

===============================

 

The Use of Mercury in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining - How We Can
Play a Role in Creating Solutions

 

Mercury is a highly toxic pollutant that can damage the brain and nervous
system. Around the

world, mercury levels in fish have risen to the point of being unsafe for
those who rely on fish

as a regular part of their diet. Mercury accumulates in fish through the
release of mercury to

the environment from human activities. Once released, mercury can pollute
the local

environment and travel long distances polluting the world's lakes and
streams.

 

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in developing countries, is the
largest remaining

intentional use of mercury on the planet. Unlike other industrial uses,
most, if not all of the

mercury used in ASGM escapes into the environment. As a result, ASGM is
second only to

burning coal for electricity as the largest source of global mercury
releases to the atmosphere.

Reducing or eliminating the use of mercury in ASGM presents a considerable
challenge to

governments for two reasons. Firstly, as many as 20 million people in more
than 70 countries

(such as Indonesia, Brazil and Columbia) engage in ASGM as a way to attempt
to escape

poverty. Secondly, mercury is cheap, accessible and allows ASGM miners to
yield gold rapidly.

This enables miners to work independently, improving their ability to gain
rapid access to this

new source of wealth.

 

Solutions will require innovation, investment and the support of many
partners, including

mining communities in developing countries, governments in both developing
and developed

countries, environmental non-governmental organisations, development
organisations, aid

organisations, and dedicated individuals.

 

Please join us on Monday, February 8, 2010 as our panel of experts present
the challenges we

face in addressing ASGM and how we can all make a difference. We look
forward to a lively

discussion!

 

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.pwd.ca/pipermail/civicaccess-discuss/attachments/20100125/a572b4a7/attachment.html>