What we know about gold is that it is a bright yellow metal that has always charmed kings, thieves, and ordinary people alike, and it is an important part of our daily lives, from wedding rings to smartphones, but there is a dark side to this industry that scientists have always warned about.

In a study recently published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, Stephen Lesak of the University of Cambridge and his fellow researchers indicate that gold mining is one of the most environmentally and socially destructive processes on the planet.

Gold mines emit more greenhouse gases that cause global warming than all passenger flights between European countries (Shutterstock)

disaster for the environment

The aforementioned research team indicates that - during just one year of gold mining operations - its mines emit more greenhouse gases that cause warming than all passenger flights between European countries combined.

Besides, gold mining leads to the destruction of the environment, as deforestation occurs especially in the tropics, and accordingly the global biodiversity is reduced, as well as the pollution of water, air and soil through the release of toxic chemicals.

According to a study conducted in 2012, gold mining represents the reason for the deforestation of 7% of forests in developing countries, and there has been a significant recent increase in deforestation rates in order to search for gold, especially in the Amazon region and West Africa.

Gold mining produces 38% of annual global mercury emissions (French)

Killer career

According to Lesak and his associates, this is part of the problem, as gold mining also emits 38% of annual global mercury emissions, which causes millions of miners to suffer from chronic mercury poisoning, which can cause multiple diseases that start from general weakness and do not end with depression. And anxiety.

Several previous studies had already indicated that the health problems experienced by gold miners collectively lead to a decrease in life expectancy, especially with observations that included an increase in the frequency of cancer of the trachea, bronchi, lung, stomach and liver, as well as an increase in the frequency of pulmonary tuberculosis. and insect-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

In this context, an INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization) report issued in April 2022 indicates that a new analysis of global crime trends has indicated a clear involvement of organized criminals in illegal gold mining.

According to the Interpol statement, these criminals took advantage of the recent surge in gold prices, which gave investors the impression that it was a safe investment.

An Interpol assessment estimated that illegal gold mining represents up to $48 billion annually.

Gold mining can be terminated and rely entirely on recycled gold (Shutterstock)

Close the mines now

In their study, Lisak and his colleagues present a solution to these problems, as they analyzed extensively the processes of gold extraction and its market cycle, to the conclusion that gold mining can be ended and relied entirely on recycled gold instead.

In an article published by Lesak on February 14 on the “The Conversation” website, talking about the new study, he indicated that nearly a quarter of the annual demand for gold is already being provided through recycling, which is a completely safe process. on the environment and workers.

Besides, this team sees through a computational model they developed that gold used for industrial and medical purposes could be saved for centuries, even if all gold mining stopped immediately.

As for the uses related to the production of jewelry, the study indicates that the use of recycled gold will suffice with the increase in recycling rates, in addition to the integration of other metals with gold in the jewelry that is produced.

According to the study of this team, even with the complete termination of mining, the role that gold plays in the global economy is likely to continue normally, and does not harm investors, employees or consumers.

The team suggests that - in the context of the current environmental and climate crises - decisions must be taken at a global level to start a broad plan to stop gold extraction operations, with the need to fully compensate the areas whose population has become dependent on gold mining, and provide them with alternative jobs.