Dr. Ishmael Quaicoe, Lecturer, University of Mines and Technology, and Expert in Mercury-Free Gold Processing Technologies says there is the urgent need to move away from mercury-based practices due to their serious health and environmental risks.

He said the current use of mercury in artisanal small-scale mining and its detrimental effects on the health of miners and local ecosystems, cannot be overemphasized.

He also emphasized Ghana's commitment to international agreements, including the Minamata Convention, which advocates for the gradual elimination of mercury in small-scale gold mining.

Dr. Quaicoe made this observation at sensitization workshops organised by the planetGOLD Ghana project to raise awareness on reducing mercury exposure among artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) actors in selected districts of the Ashanti and Central Regions.

The workshops were aimed at promoting mercury-free mining practices in line with Ghana's obligations under the Minamata Convention and raise awareness on the health impacts associated with mercury use.

He also drew their attention to some available mercury-free alternatives for processing gold.

Dr. Quaicoe said the introduction of mercury-free technologies, such as gravimetric separation, flotation, and cyanidation, would provide safer and more sustainable methods for gold recovery.

These he said would offer miners, lower long-term costs, and potentially higher gold recovery rates and ultimately lead to improved health outcomes.

He, however, recognized the challenges associated with adopting these technologies, such as resistance to change, limited access to these equipment since they were currently not readily available.

Dr. Quaicoe said the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) provides training and capacity-building to facilitate the adoption of these safer methods.

Dr. Quaicoe noted that other countries have effectively implemented these mercury-free technologies and called for greater support from government, NGOs, and international organizations to expand these initiatives.

He called on miners to readily adopt these mercury-free technologies, considering the long-term benefits to both their health and the environment.

Mr. Lovelace Sarpong, Project Coordinator, planetGOLD Ghana said the project among other things aims to minimize the risks posed by mercury use in the ASGM sector by improving sound chemicals management and eliminating pollution hazards while improving financial inclusion and transition to the formal economy.

He said it also seeks to strengthen national and jurisdictional capacity to enhance Ghana's compliance with the Minamata Convention following national environmental and formalization policies, alongside global platforms on mercury reductions, responsible supply chains, and mineral resource governance.