Mercury and Arsenic Hotspots Identified in Ghana’s Artisanal Gold Belt

A year-long assessment by Pure Earth and Ghana’s Environmental Protection Authority sampled soil, water, crops and fish across six of Ghana’s 13 mining regions. Results show mercury in soils at Konongo Zongo averaged 56.4 ppm against a World Health Organization (WHO) safety threshold of 10 ppm, with peak readings of 1,342 ppm. Arsenic reached 10,060 ppm in some locations, reported as more than 4,000% above WHO guidance. The surge in artisanal production, driven by higher bullion prices, has expanded a poorly regulated sector that exported 66.7 metric tons of gold in the first eight months of the year, compared with 53.8 tons for all of 2024. The study was presented in Accra on 18 September with calls for immediate risk reduction.

Field observations tie contamination to mercury use in amalgamation and the redistribution of mine wastes. In alluvial and saprolitic terrains common to Ghana’s goldfields, permeable soils and shallow groundwater enhance downward migration of dissolved metals, while storm runoff mobilizes tailings and fines into streams used for irrigation and fishing. Multi-pathway exposure is occurring through ingestion of contaminated water and food, inhalation of vapor and particulates during processing, and dermal contact. Clinicians report rising kidney disorders among children from mining communities, with X-rays showing retained mercury pellets after accidental ingestion. These findings align with the study’s conclusion that cumulative exposure across media is a serious health hazard requiring urgent intervention.

Authorities are pursuing sector oversight and have created the Ghana Gold Board to improve traceability. The study notes overlaps between regulated and illegal supply chains that complicate enforcement. Industry groups cite a ban on mercury use in amalgamation and the adoption of gravity concentration devices such as the Gold Kacha to reduce emissions at source. Environmental organizations report toxic pollution present across all 13 mining regions, underscoring the need for near-term controls. Priority actions include hot-spot mapping, tailings containment, stormwater management at processing sites, safer processing alternatives, and medical screening in high-exposure communities. Community protests and practitioner feedback indicate an expectation for accelerated cleanup and transparent monitoring.

Check out the following video discussing the urgent matter of soil contamination in Ghana.