In a major move to protect people and the environment, the Zimbabwean government has banned the use of mercury in mining. The ban, which was announced on April 28, 2020, is part of the country’s efforts to reduce the environmental and health impacts of mercury exposure.
Mercury is a highly toxic metal that is used in the extraction of gold from ore. It is used by small-scale miners, who make up a large portion of Zimbabwe’s mining sector, to separate gold from other minerals. However, the use of mercury is highly hazardous and can cause serious health problems such as neurological damage, kidney damage, and reproductive problems. It can also contaminate water sources and affect the environment. The ban is part of the Zimbabwean government’s efforts to reduce the environmental and health impacts of mercury exposure.
The government has also taken steps to promote the use of more environmentally friendly methods of gold extraction. This includes encouraging miners to use alternatives such as borax, a naturally occurring mineral that can be used to separate gold from ore without the use of mercury. The ban on the use of mercury in mining is an important step in the right direction. It will help to protect the health of miners and the environment from the hazardous effects of mercury.
It will also help to reduce the amount of mercury that is released into the environment, which can have long-term impacts on the environment and people’s health. The ban is part of a larger effort by the Zimbabwean government to reduce the environmental and health impacts of mercury exposure. The government has also taken steps to promote the use of more environmentally friendly methods of gold extraction. This includes encouraging miners to use alternatives such as borax, a naturally occurring mineral that can be used to separate gold from ore without the use of mercury.
The government has also implemented a number of other measures to reduce the environmental and health impacts of mining. This includes introducing strict regulations on the disposal of mining waste, and introducing a system of environmental monitoring to ensure that mining activities are conducted in a sustainable manner. The ban on the use of mercury in mining is an important step in the right direction. It will help to protect the health of miners and the environment from the hazardous effects of mercury. It will also help to reduce the amount of mercury that is released into the environment, which can have long-term impacts on the environment and people’s health.
The ban is part of a larger effort by the Zimbabwean government to reduce the environmental and health impacts of mercury exposure. The government has also taken steps to promote the use of more environmentally friendly methods of gold extraction. This includes encouraging miners to use alternatives such as borax, a naturally occurring mineral that can be used to separate gold from ore without the use of mercury. The government has also implemented a number of other measures to reduce the environmental and health impacts of mining. This includes introducing strict regulations on the disposal of mining waste, and introducing a system of environmental monitoring to ensure that mining activities are conducted in a sustainable manner.
The government has also taken steps to ensure that miners are aware of the health risks associated with mercury exposure. This includes providing information and training on the safe use of mercury, and providing access to medical care for those who have been exposed to mercury. The ban on the use of mercury in mining is an important step in the right direction. It will help to protect the health of miners and the environment from the hazardous effects of mercury. It will also help to reduce the amount of mercury that is released into the environment, which can have long-term impacts on the environment and people’s health. By taking these measures, the Zimbabwean government is showing its commitment to protecting people and the environment from the dangers of mercury exposure.
