World emissions of mercury from artisanal and small
We estimate that artisanal and small scale gold mining releases between 640 to 1350 Mg of mercury per annum into the environment, averaging 1000 Mg yr1, from at least 70 countries. 350 Mg yr1 of this are directly emitted to the atmosphere while the remainder (650 Mg yr1) are released into the hydrosphere (rivers, lakes, soils, tailings).