Mercury contamination in rivers affecting food production in Manica district

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Mercury contamination in rivers affecting food production in Manica district

2:56 CAT | 11 Nov 2022

The Revue is one of the rivers that flow through Manica

The use of mercury in artisanal gold mining in Manica district, Manica province, in central Mozambique, is polluting rivers and soils, putting people’s health and the environment at risk.

Mercury in river water in Manica district, central Mozambique, is damaging the crops of subsistence and industrial farmers, who say their plants are not growing like they used to.

The residents of Manica district, which is rich in gold reserves, blame the prospectors, accusing them of not replacing the soil after their diggings.

Resident Moisés Tovesse also blames the mining companies for disorder in the region, and accuses them of not complying with the rules for exploiting gold.

“The water situation is bad. There are companies that are polluting the water and others that are making dust. The crops are drying up, because you water today and tomorrow it dries, because it’s not water, it’s mud,” Tovesse says.

Contaminated water

Glória Campira, a 49-year-old mother who lives in the Cacarue region, also regrets the pollution of water and the environment.

She says that the water in the rivers is unhealthy, and unsuitable for watering crops or for livestock, much less for human consumption. The consequences are disastrous.

Manicagold.dw_ — Artisanal mining on the banks of the Revue River, in the Manica district

“The water problem here is extremely unfortunate – both livestock and crops are suffering. This scenario is taking a heavy toll on food production,” she maintains.

“It’s difficult even to find drinking water in the region,” she says.

Mercury impacts

Ermenegildo Eduardo says he has lost crops in his machamba since the entry of mining companies into the district.

“The fields are in bad shape, because the water has spoiled them. We had already sown beans and corn, but when this water went in, everything fell flat,” he complains.

In mining, mercury is used in the process of separating gold from other sediments and particles and often ends up contaminating water and soil.

Inhaling the gas emitted by mercury or consuming water and fish contaminated with the heavy metal can cause health problems such as severe neurological problems and kidney failure.

Source: Deutsche Welle