Mercury poison death in Mongolia's Gobi

An autopsy has revealed that a man in the Omnogobi Aimag centre has died of mercury poisoning, said an article in the April 12 Ardyn Erkh newspaper.

The deceased used mercury to separating out gold mined by manual workers. In Khanbogd Soum, there are reported to be at least 45 such operations.

Recently, some miners have started to use sodium cyanide, which is even more dangerous than mercury. Omnogobi Aimag governor’s office staffer O. Badarch said, “Our staff have found many contraventions of the law. There is no way we can blame artisanal miners, who do not ask money from the government, but it must be stopped.”

“We have dismantling about 30 mills near a well. Each employs 5-6 people, supporting 30 more. Many lives depend on gold. They know they are illegal, but they can usually get away with it.”

“Mercury and sodium cyanide are brought in from China. Earth washed by sodium cyanide has been found next to a water well, and we are analysing how badly the earth has been poisoned.” “Local people have been warned not to use the well, and experts say that the water may be unable for at least three years. Recently, 20 goats owned by a family near the area miscarried. We are taking immediate steps.”

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