Post a commentGold mining districts in Sierra Leone are dealing with a growing public health and environmental crisis, as mercury use continues widespread despite its dangers.
According to accounts, miners in Tonkolili, Falaba, and other locations continue to extract gold with mercury, exposing themselves and their communities to major health risks. Many miners, motivated by poverty and a lack of options, remain uninformed of the metal’s destructive effects. Health experts warn that mercury exposure can result in long-term damage.
Dr. David Idris Kamara, Principal Dental Officer at Connaught Hospital in Freetown, detailed how mercury may enter the bloodstream through open wounds and harm important organs, including the kidneys, liver, and heart.
“If mercury enters an injury, it can trigger health complications that are difficult, if not impossible, to treat.” He said.
He also stated that polluted water is a severe concern to pregnant women, increasing the risk of birth complications and fetal death.
Despite the country’s approval of the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2016, enforcement has been delayed. Bockarie Pompay Sesay, Public Health and Environmental Adviser for WHO-Sierra Leone, stated that mercury pollution is a global concern and advocated for stricter implementation of the treaty’s terms, such as the elimination of mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM).
Miners such as Kallie Koroma and Samuel Allieu described personal injuries and long-term illnesses caused by mercury exposure, citing a lack of safety gear and healthcare support in mining towns.
Chemist Babah Charm Koroma of Njala University said that mercury evaporates easily at warm temperatures, exposing miners to harmful vapors and airborne infections. Pollution from mercury is also harming agricultural fields and water supplies, exacerbating food security concerns.
Joseph David Allieu, Director of Civil Society Advocacy for Climate Change and the Environment (CAN-SL), urged prompt action. He criticized poor implementation of mining rules and promised planned public awareness actions on the dangers of mercury, not just in mining but also in items such as cosmetics.
The recent establishment of the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry Sierra Leone Chapter is a promising measure. Advocates want to foster safer alternatives and advocate for tighter policies.
However, experts warn that without political support, funding for mercury-free technologies, and tougher law enforcement, Sierra Leone’s environmental and public health concerns would deteriorate. For miners like Mohamed Marah, daily contact with mercury is a harsh reality, stating the need for action.
