Minerals Commission urged to improve control of mercury flow

The College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana has called on the Minerals Commission to take measures to prevent the smuggling of mercury by implementing improved oversight of the flow of mercury.

Furthermore, the College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana has recommended that the Minerals Commission develop a policy to address food contamination caused by mercury and heavy metals.

In a statement released at the conclusion of the 6th biennial public lecture held in Accra, the College of Health Sciences emphasized that mercury serves various purposes, including its use in thermometers, batteries, dental implants, mirrors, fluorescent lighting, and vaccines.

“Of course it is also used in amalgamation stage of (illegal) galamsey mining but because of its ubiquitous availability, Ghanaians are exposed to some amount of mercury at low levels, therefore, much smuggling of mercury into Ghana should cease forthwith,” it said.

The public lecture held on September 27, this year, was on the theme “Environmental and Health Impact of illegal mining (Galamsey): the real cost of that gold.”

The communiqué stated that the Minamata Convention, to which the government had committed by signing on, mandates the country to prioritize efforts to restrict human exposure to mercury. This is even though the purchase of mercury may be legally allowed under ministerial control.

The communiqué highlighted that mercury is among the 10 chemicals recognized as a significant public health concern. It further noted that an estimated 81 tonnes of mercury are used in Ghana annually.

The communiqué revealed that illegal small-scale mining activities, often referred to as "galamsey," account for 80% of the demand for mercury in Ghana. Out of the total 81 tonnes used annually, approximately 70 tonnes are used in amalgamation processes associated with these activities. As a result, 32.5 tonnes of mercury are released into the air, 6.5 tonnes into water bodies, and 6 tonnes remain deposited on the land, contributing to environmental pollution and health risks.

The communiqué characterized mercury as a poisonous substance with potential effects that can be chronic or irreversible, leading to devastating impacts on human systems and certain organs within the body.

The communiqué noted that in the digestive system, mercury exposure may result in a metallic taste and discoloration of the gums. In the nervous system, it can lead to various adverse effects, including tremors, confusion, speech difficulties, headaches, low cognitive performance, fatigue, and impaired movement coordination.

In the respiratory system, it may result in symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, and even more severe conditions like pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis (lung scarring). In the cardiovascular system, mercury exposure may lead to hypertension, palpitations, and an increased risk of heart attacks. Furthermore, it can cause kidney failure and muscle weakness.

The communiqué stressed the importance of enforcing the legislative instrument that governs mining activities in Ghana, which includes the Minerals and Mining Act of 2006 (Act 703). This enforcement is seen as vital to safeguarding the environment and human health from the adverse impacts of mining operations, including those involving hazardous substances like mercury.

“Health promotion and sensitisation of miners and members of the mining communities will help to prevent and mitigate the health risks posed by the galamsey mining activities,” it said.

The communiqué emphasized the significance of employing dialogue and awareness campaigns to promote risk perception at the community level. It also stressed the crucial roles of civil society and the media in acting as early warning systems and watchdogs to ensure adherence to existing laws aimed at preventing and mitigating the impacts on both public health and the environment.

The communiqué encouraged academia not to limit their research to the immediate patterns of diseases and injuries related to illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) but to also focus on the long-term effects of exposure to galamsey, which may include mental health issues.