The Mercury Problem in Artisanal and Small‐Scale Gold Mining
The Mercury Problem in Artisanal Gold Mining. Mercury‐based artisanal and small‐scale gold mining (ASGM) causes more mercury pollution than any other human activity. 1 In this practice, mercury metal is used to extract gold from ore as a stable amalgam. The amalgam is then heated to evaporate the mercury and isolate the gold.