| Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is an important source of livelihood for the rural poor and vulnerable communities, including children, women and marginalised groups. Over 73% of Uganda's ASM gold is produced using over 15,000 kg of mercury per year, resulting in significant and long-lasting mercury contamination. In addition, various toxic heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cyanide, iron and uranium associated with gold mining are rarely recovered and therefore remain in the tailings, contaminating and persisting in receiving waters and soils. Crops grown on contaminated soils absorb and accumulate the mercury and heavy metals. In the aquatic environment, organisms ingest the mercury and heavy metals in water and food, which accumulates along the food chain.
The aim of the Biogold project is to reduce the contamination of food grown in mercury and heavy metal contaminated soils and to protect the fragile ecosystems surrounding ASGM areas in Uganda. The objectives include: i) capacity building through the development of a graduate curriculum to provide skills and competencies in the field, support graduate training and research, and organise targeted training for miners and communities; ii) Developing and piloting treatment technologies for soil and wastewater remediation or treatment in ASGM; and iii) Promoting gender and diversity inclusion for rapid adoption of treatment technologies in ASGM communities.
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