Gold Mining Poses Increasing Threat to Ayeyarwady River’s Water Quality

Dangerously high levels of mercury and other heavy metals have been detected in the river as mining goes unchecked in the wake of the February 2021 coup.

    Sign up for the Nigerian Mining Weekly Newsletter
    Get the latest news from the Nigerian solid minerals and mining industry delivered to your inbox.

    The quality of the water in the Ayeyarwady River and its tributaries has declined significantly due to unchecked gold mining since the military seized power four years ago, according to a new report by environmental monitor group Myanmar Resource Watch.

    Gold Mining Poses Increasing Threat to Ayeyarwady River’s Water Quality

    The report, released on February 22, says that rampant post-coup gold extraction has drastically driven up lead, mercury, cadmium, and magnesium levels in the river, raising serious environmental and health concerns.

    Citing the group’s own research, the report says that laboratory analyses of 36 water samples reveal heavy metal levels far exceeding safe drinking standards, especially in areas near the river’s headwaters.

    Water samples were collected in both regime- and resistance-held territory and showed especially high levels of mercury, a Myanmar Resource Watch researcher told Myanmar Now.

      Sign up for the Nigerian Mining Weekly Newsletter
      Get the latest news from the Nigerian solid minerals and mining industry delivered to your inbox.

      Leave a Reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      You May Also Like

      Nigeria, Russia Collaborate to Revive Ajaokuta Steel and Iron Ore Mining

      The Nigerian government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a…

      Africa Private Sector Platform to Transform Nigeria’s Mining Industry

      According to Mkhululi Ncube, the African Minerals Development Center’s programs officer, Nigeria’s…

      China’s 2024 Lithium Carbonate Output Soars 45%, Ministry Reports

      China’s production of battery-grade lithium carbonate surged by 45% in 2024, reaching…