In Nzega District, Tabora Region, gold miners, processors, and license holders are urging the government to prohibit mercury use in mining due to its severe health and environmental hazards. The request follows an awareness campaign held in Mkwajuni Sub-village, Lusu Ward, where local miners were informed of the risks associated with mercury exposure.
Officials from the Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA) in the central zone highlighted mercury as one of the top ten most harmful chemicals, per the World Health Organization (WHO). They noted that mercury exposure endangers both miners and surrounding communities, damaging ecosystems and health.
Nzega miner Aboubakar Nuru advocated for safer chemical alternatives, emphasizing the need to shield miners and residents from mercury’s toxic impact. Salum Ngozani, another miner, explained the difficulty of replacing mercury due to its low cost and easy concealment, unlike sodium cyanide, which is bulky and costly, creating logistical challenges for smaller operations.
Ngozani added, “Many miners lack access to safe alternatives. Changing these practices requires secure and affordable options that are sustainable for us.”
Despite Tanzania’s ratification of the Minamata Convention, which aims to reduce mercury usage, many miners continue using mercury due to limited affordable alternatives. GCLA Central Zone Manager Gerald Meliyo confirmed the government’s plan to eliminate mercury but urged miners to adopt protective gear until safer options are accessible. Mercury exposure, he warned, is linked to lung and brain damage and can cause tremors that disrupt daily life.
The GCLA also recommended that miners organize into associations to improve access to safer chemicals like sodium cyanide, which has less environmental impact. Joseph Mabondo, chairman of the Tabora Region Small Miners Association (TABOREMA), acknowledged that some miners had transitioned to safer chemicals but stressed the need for ongoing education and support.
Additionally, Mabondo advised miners to establish containment ponds to prevent toxic wastewater from polluting the environment. Tabora Regional Mining Officer Fatuma Kyando emphasized that protecting miners’ health is essential to fostering safe and productive work environments, enabling miners to succeed without compromising well-being.