SS08-01 INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE MERCURY USE AND POISONINGS AMONG SMALL-SCALE MINERS: PRACTICAL EXAMPLES FROM BOLIVIA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Abstract

Mercury pollution from small-scale mining is a global problem affecting not only miners’ health but also the health of people living close by or even far from the mining sites. Several methods are applied to reduce mercury use e.g. by banning and substitution. In Bolivia, prevention of poisoning is promoted not only by introducing mercury-free gold mining techniques, but also by strengthening leadership and organisational training, and training in alternative income generating activities like pesticide-free agriculture. Changes in society are hard to achieve by only focusing on technical solutions. Data gathered among miners during the last four years by interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires are analysed and presented using sound statistical and analytical methods. The results from the last three years of intervention in Bolivia among male miners and the actual status of the intervention among female miners and children are presented. In addition, experiences from other parts of the world with the introduction of mercury-free gold mining and effect on health are discussed and compared with the results from Bolivia. The preliminary results show an economically sound outcome by introducing mercury-free gold mining techniques, but low sustainability if miners do not take ownership of the process or are not well organized in their miners’ societies. Therefore, changing habits takes more than only introducing technical solutions.