Mercury-free, small-scale artisanal gold mining in Mozambique: utilization of magnets to isolate gold at clean tech mine

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining accounts for a significant portion of the current global gold market. Many artisanal gold miners use mercury to amalgamate gold and separate it from undesired gangue minerals, because it is relatively inexpensive and readily available. Unfortunately, the inappropriate handling and use of mercury has created environmental and health concerns in artisanal mining camps throughout the world. While the vast majority of artisanal and small-scale gold mines in Mozambique use mercury amalgamation in the gold mining process, the privately owned Clean Tech Mine in the Manica Province has eliminated the use of mercury at their mine. Instead, gold is isolated by centrifugation and magnetic removal of gangue materials. Furthermore, the operation of this mine stands in contrast to other mines in the area due to the responsible business practices initiated by its owner to ensure worker safety. This report details the mining practices employed by Clean Tech Mine to eliminate mercury use throughout the mining process, increase worker safety, and provide the surrounding communities with an opportunity for sustainable employment. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.