Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori Atta, the executive chairman of EON 3 Group, has urged immediate action to prohibit the use of mercury and other risky chemicals in gold mining since the practice is bad for both people and the environment.
Instead, he emphasized the necessity for miners—particularly those working in the artisanal and small-scale sectors—to adopt cutting-edge, eco-friendly mining techniques.
On Monday, May 1, 2023, he made the decision while speaking on "Epa Hoa Daben," a sociopolitical afternoon chat program on Happy FM in Accra.
The executive chairman of EON 3 Group spoke to Don Kwabena Prah Junior, the show's presenter, for two hours on issues like "tackling the illegal mining menace" and "promoting responsible gold mining for sustainable development."
Cancer and other risks
Mercury is a dangerous substance that is outlawed everywhere. It is "one of the most dangerous chemicals for human health and the environment," according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining is extremely dangerous, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and the health impacts on vulnerable groups are significant.
"Inhaling mercury vapor can have detrimental effects on the immunological, digestive, and neurological systems as well as the lungs and kidneys, and it may even be deadly. The inorganic salts of mercury can cause renal toxicity if consumed and are damaging to the skin, eyes, and digestive system, according to the WHO.
In artisanal and small-scale mining groups, several studies have linked mercury exposure to an increased risk of cancer. The executive chairman of EON 3 Group, who recently returned from the OECD Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains in Paris, stated that mercury emissions have a significant negative impact on nearby communities because they cause both physical and mental disabilities, particularly in children.
Additionally, the practice contaminates soil and water supplies, which accumulate in common food sources like fish. environmentally responsible actions
The executive chairman of EON 3 Group advised gold mining businesses to make investments in ecologically sustainable practices.
He applauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's decision to commission some Gold Kacha plants in 2022, explaining that the use of mercury-free, environmentally friendly technology would safeguard the nation's water resources, mining communities, and populace from the negative effects of mercury.
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