Transitioning towards sustainability in artisanal and small-scale gold mining : A case study from Tanzania

Abstract

The extensive use of mercury in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector has long been a major challenge environmentally. Over the past decade, the rapid proliferation of cyanide leaching has shown potential as a substitute for mercury in ASGM. However, this has not led to a decrease in the use of mercury. Cyanide is frequently employed after applying mercury, rather than used as a substitute for it. While this challenge is acknowledged in research, empirical insights into the dynamics of this integration and the underlying transition to sustainability remain limited. To address this gap, this article investigates how cyanide leaching practices are being integrated with mercury use practices in Tanzania, the location of one of the largest ASGM sectors in sub-Saharan Africa. This study reveals that different organisational practices lead to variations in mercury use, which has important implications for sustainability.