By PAULINE KAIRUMore by this AuthorKenya is one of the eight countries that will get financial and technical support to eradicate mercury during gold mining and processing. The recently launched Global Opportunities for Long-term Development of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining project of the UN Environmental Programme will invest $21 million (Sh2.17 billion) in the Kenyan effort. HEALTH HAZARDThe project is expected to devise environmentally-friendly mercury-free methods of gold extraction. “Mercury is highly toxic but it is used in artisanal gold mining and processing,” Mr Raymond Mutiso, the director of mines at the Mining ministry, said. Most gold mining is carried out in Narok, Migori, Homa Bay, Siaya, Vihiga, Kakamega, Siaya, Nandi, West Pokot and Turkana counties.

Source: Daily Nation May 28, 2017 16:30 UTC