THE use of mercury in the mining industry has always been of grave concern because it could be lethal.
Studies have shown how it has affected flora and fauna in environments in the vicinity of mining areas. In Guyana, where mining is a major industry, there has also been grave concern about mercury contamination and its effects on ecosystems and the health of humans.
For this reason, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has been focusing heavily on safe mining practices so as to minimise contamination and prevent environmental dangers and hazards.
Through several training and educational programmes, the commission has been imparting the necessary knowledge and techniques with respect to safe mining practice.
And to a large extent miners have been cooperative and responsive to the need for ensuring that mining does not pose environmental threats or dangers.
A recent study by the Guyana Environmental Management and Capacity Development Programme (GENCAPD) found that mercury levels in persons living in the hinterland communities of Isseneru, Micobie and Gunns Strip along the Mazaruni River, have dropped.
The project, funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), to probe the phenomenon due to behavioural changes within the areas, ended last week, when GENCAPD Head and scientific consultant, Mr. Richard Couture presented the findings.
He said the evolution of the survey was based on the premise that there was an increased presence of mercury at mine sites/areas in Guyana as the substance is used in the mining process.
In his presentation, Mr. Couture said an increased level of the substance was found in individuals living in three mining locations, due to the greater consumption of fish because of its abundance and availability, as well as the adopted lifestyle of the resident indigenous inhabitants.
The decreased levels of mercury in persons living in the above mentioned communities are encouraging. However, it is not clear whether the study found that mining is now done in a more environmentally safe and friendly manner which could also be a reason for the decreased mercury levels.
But there can be no complacency with respect to mercury contamination. On the contrary, there should be no compromising on the policing of mining practices to ensure that miners rigidly comply with the established environmental regulations and stipulations. Adopting any other course could invite disaster.
The matter has become so serious that it has engaged the international community and in 2009, in Nairobi, a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council meeting of environmental ministers agreed on a global crackdown on mercury.
The landmark decision, taken by more than 140 countries, set the stage for the lifting of a major health threat from the lives of hundreds of millions of people.
Governments unanimously decided to launch negotiations on an international mercury treaty to deal with world-wide emissions and discharges of the pollutant that threatens the health of foetuses and babies, small-scale gold miners and their families.
They also agreed that the risk to human health and the environment was so significant that accelerated action under a voluntary Global Mercury Partnership is needed whilst the treaty is being finalised.
The global crackdown on mercury is also integrally linked to the development of the Green Economy.
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director said the mercury decision, alongside a range of other key agreements at the close of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF), sent a clear message to citizens everywhere that the environment was moving back to the centre stage of political life and that a Green Economy is up and running.