ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SMALL-SCALE MINING The numerous environmental impacts of greatest concern are:
- Mercury pollution- 1.32kg of mercury get into waterways for every 1kg of Au produced
- Cyanide pollution
- Direct dumping of tailings and effluents into rivers
- Threats from improperly constructed tailings dams
- River damage in alluvial areas
- River siltation
- Erosion damage and deforestation
- Landscape destruction
- Dewatering effects
- Noise and vibration