Nonprofit organization Mercury Free Mining (MFM) has organized a global challenge campaign to eliminate the use of the dangerous metal in the industry, with the winning idea earning a $1 million prize.
More than 15 million artisanal gold miners inadvertently release 8,000 pounds of mercury into the environment every day, causing irreversible neurological damage. However, there is currently no alternative and safe process.
MFM CEO Toby Pomeroy is putting together a group of people from the jewelry, gemstone, mining, refining and gold-trading sector to oversee the competition. The individual, team or organization that comes up with an affordable and reliable alternative to using mercury in mining will win.
MFM’s board of directors, which includes Bill Boyajian, former CEO of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) president Ronnie VanderLinden, will also work on the project.
Many thanks to Rapaport.
No comments:
Post a Comment