Cost of proper waste management of retorted mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining: global estimates and financial implications

Implementing retorts in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) to mitigate mercury emissions is a positive development. However, it creates a new challenge: the need for proper management of retorted mercury waste. This study aimed to estimate the global waste management cost for retorted mercury using stringent guidelines for mercury waste management. The results showed that the estimated cost could reach a maximum of 16.6 million USD by 2050, which is 44.7 times higher than the global retort purchase cost. Thus, securing waste management costs for retorted mercury is essential when implementing retorts for mercury mitigation. However, this may be challenging in many artisanal and small-scale gold mining countries due to low governance levels and underestimated short-term 5-year National Action Plan budgets. To address this issue, an additional 33.2% long-term budget in comparison with cumulative global environment facility ASGM funding so far will be required globally during 2015-2050 for proper waste management of retorted mercury. This study proposes a strategy for proper mercury waste management from a financial viewpoint by examining the context of mercury waste management in national action plans and estimating the global environment facility ASGM funding contribution by gold-consuming countries.

Automated summary

Implementing retorts in ASGM to reduce mercury emissions is positive, but managing the resulting waste is a new challenge. This study estimates the global waste management cost for retorted mercury and finds it to be significantly higher than the purchase cost of retorts. Proper waste management costs are essential, but many ASGM countries face challenges due to low governance levels and underestimated budgets. The study proposes a strategy for financial management of mercury waste by examining national action plans and global environment facility funding.