Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) Related Environmental and Health Problems

Dear colleagues,

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activity has been undertaken in developing countries for socio-economic reasons; however, it accounts for the largest anthropogenic source of mercury emission, at over 700 tonnes into the atmosphere and an additional approximately 800 tonnes into land and water annually, which exposes both ASGM miners and nearby communities to the mercury. Moreover, heavy metals other than mercury have also been emitted into the environment due to the process of ASGM. Therefore, ASGM causes environmental disruption and health problems not only in ASGM communities, but across the whole nation, too, owing to the risks it poses. There have been a number of studies published related to mercury and its impact on environment and health.

This Special Issue is open to any research related to the environmental and health problems posed by ASGM and its management. Topics of interest include:

• Environmental pollution and its related health issues caused by ASGM;
• Water quality changes, deforestation and land degradation, and mining waste caused by ASGM and its management;
• Impact of ASGM on ecosystems;
• Indicators of mercury and heavy metals pollution;

Mercury- and other heavy metal-related health problems in the ASGM context, and their bioindicators

Dr. Masayuki Sakakibara
Dr. Win Thiri Kyaw
Dr. José Luis Rivera Parra
Guest Editors

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