Post #380

Soon Enough for an Entire Planet [ Minerals In Numbers ] 🌡Every year, more than 2,000 tonnes of mercury are released into the atmosphere, soil, and water from artisanal gold mining. In Sub-Saharan Africa, artisanal mining is, in fact, the single largest source of mercury pollution. ➡️The popularity of mercury among artisanal miners originates from a radical reduction in costs. To start mining using mercury requires minimal upfront investment, typically around $10–50 per site, compared with mercury-free alternatives that demand $2,000–15,000 in basic equipment costs. ➡️How much is 2,000 tonnes? Less than 1 gram is enough to cause mercury poisoning in a human. Another comparison: if we took all that mercury and spread it evenly in a layer just 2–3 atoms thick, it would be enough to cover the entire area of Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 (about 275,000 km2). 🔽 The solution of this problem is not on the surface though. As long as there is poverty and gold is considered a precious commodity, mercury will persist. On the other hand, everyone can at least protect themselves and ensure that mercury in their environment and food does not exceed safe limits. #MineralsInNumbers ➡️ Follow to stay informed - @devilsbelow