Mercury use on the artisanal gold mining site at Gnikpière, Burkina Faso

<title>Abstract</title> <p>The general objective of the study is to investigate mercury use practices at the Gnikpière site and analyze associated soil and water contamination. A survey was conducted with 40 miners. Twenty-five (25) samples, including twenty-three (23) soil samples and two (02) water samples, were taken to assess their mercury content. Total mercury (THg) analysis of samples was performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Hundred (100%) per cent of the artisanal gold miners mix the gravity concentrate with their hands without protection. For amalgam burning, the most commonly used energy sources are the furnace (35%), gas (10%), a fire pit (10%), or a combination of the mentioned methods (40%). The amalgamating and burning are done at the same site in open areas by 67% of miners, and only 5% of artisanal miners use adequate equipment. The soils at the mills record the highest levels of mercury (138.45 ppm), followed by the washing sludge (52.6 ppm), gold buying sheds (48.15 ppm), washing sheds (19.27 ppm) and finally those from the fields downstream which have the lowest mercury levels (3.65 ppm). In the water samples, the mercury content is below the detection limit. A great proportion and of the population of the Gnikpière site claim to be aware of the risks of mercury on their health (87.5%) and on the environment (75%), but only 42.5% have been made aware of the real risks of mercury. In the Gnikpière site, the use of mercury is not appropriate, leading to environmental contamination.</p>