Pure Earth, EPA launch collaborative study on mercury contamination

Pure Earth Ghana, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and British High Commission, have launched the Mercury Impact Assessment Study Project.

The project, funded by the UK government through The Evident Fund (TEF), aims to uncover actionable insights and sustainable solutions to safeguard ecosystems and communities affected by mercury pollution.

In a speech, Country Director-Blacksmith Initiative/Pure Earth Ghana, Esmond Wisdom Quansah stated that the project seeks to assess mercury pollution at some selected mining sites in the country.

It is also aimed at getting permanent solutions while safeguarding the environment and scrutinising its harmful pathway into food systems.

“The Blacksmith Initiative/Pure Earth, alongside Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is proud to spearhead this project that seeks to meticulously assess mercury contamination in selected mining sites across Ghana.

This study is not just about understanding the problem – it is about finding actionable insights and sustainable solutions to safeguard our ecosystems and communities that depend on them,” he mentioned.

According to the Country Director, their efforts can penetrate deeper into the artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector to uncover and address public health implications that have long evaded comprehensive study.

“This initiative will play a crucial role in bridging the knowledge gap in mercury pollution and its impact on food safety. Our collective goal remains clear: to inform policy, enhance implementation strategies and uplift the communities affected by these mining practices,” he revealed.

“With the support of these key partners, notably the UK’s contribution, we can advance our methodologies and expand the reach and efficacy of our environmental and health interventions,” he added.

Mr. Quansah pointed out artisanal and small-scale gold mining is a crucial sector in the economy which dispenses both convenience and challenge, adding that while it fuels livelihoods it also poses significant risks through mercury emissions threatening both health and habitats.

He highlighted that the project is positioned to award Ghana EPA with advanced methodologies such as the use of X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) for accurate, efficient assessments, bolstering their capacity to independently monitor and mitigate mercury pollution. Through this research project, they can ensure knowledge transfer and capacity building are sustained and impactful.

“The Mineral Extraction Industry contributes about 37% of export and 8% to GDP, thus the industry has potential to create employment opportunities for the teeming youth of Ghana. While we acknowledge this economic impact on the country’s financial resources, we should not forget the devastating impact of mining activities on Health and the environment – particularly illegal mining popularly called ‘galamsey’,” revealed Executive Director-Environmental Protection Agency, Esi Nerquaye-Tetteh.

According to her, the situation at present calls for immediate action and practical solutions to mitigate this life-threatening national disaster in the country.

She explained that the country is losing almost all its valuable water resources to these mitigatable environmental/social risks and impacts. She said mercury is a substance used to process gold, especially by Artisanal Small-Scale mining operation in Ghana; hence, the release of this chemical into the environment during mining operations can have detrimental effects on human health.

“Mercury contamination in our water-bodies and food chain pose serious public health threat. Mercury can accumulate in fish and other sea-foods, posing a risk to human health,” said Mrs. Nerquaye-Tetteh.

The Board of Directors-Blacksmith Initiative dba Pure Earth, John Pwamang, underscored the transformative potential of this initiative, emphasising the importance of rigorous assessment and innovative policies in protecting public health and ecological balance.

“The journey ahead is no doubt challenging, but it is also ripe with opportunity. By rigorously assessing mercury contamination in our mining sites, we open doors to innovative policies and practices that prioritise public health and ecological balance,” he asserted.

He urged everyone to focus on the communities affected by mercury pollution, urging collective commitment to a safer and more sustainable future for Ghana.

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