Mercury poisoning from Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) is crippling Kenya’s Biodiversity
Mercury pollution from Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) is not only exposing communities to mercury poisoning, but also disrupting Kenya’s biodiversity. Ecological resilience, an ecosystem’s ability to resist, absorb, and recover from disturbances, is disrupted at its core.
Studies have shown that areas near gold mining spots face a high risk of mercury pollution, with high levels of the toxic metal found in water, sediment, and fish. ASGM activities are dominant in at least 7 counties, namely Migori, Siaya, Kakamega, Narok, Vihiga, Nandi, and Turkana counties.