Friday 13 May 2016

Kenyan artisanal miner killed in incident in Migori County.

An artisanal miner has died in an incident at a mine at Osiri in Migori County, Kenya, this week. The man, who has not yet been named, reportedly slipped when climbing out of the mine after completing a days work. Conditions at the site have been described as slippery following heavy rainfall in the area. Rainy season peaks in April each year in Migori and typically leads to a number of incidents in the area's mines.

An artisanal mine in Migori County, Kenya. The Star.

Migori County is home to numerous small artisanal mines targeting gold deposits in the area. These are typically run as co-operatives or by small local operators, with only the largest having access to rock crushing equipment. Gold ore is extracted from small pits then broken up either with such equipment or hand tools, then heated with mercury to extract the gold. The industry has a very poor safety record, with frequent landslides and collapses, particularly in the rainy season, as well as incidents with explosives and the toxic effects of handling mercury without protective equipment.

See also...

http://sciencythoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/tantalum-mining-in-twenty-first-century.htmlTantalum mining in the twenty first century. Tantalum is a transition metal highly sort after for its ability to store and release electricity (in the form of electrons), ductability, tensile strength, resistance...
http://sciencythoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/human-rights-watch-reports-on-child.htmlHuman Rights Watch reports on child labour in the Tanzanian gold mining industry.        The US based NGO Human Rights Watch published a report into the use of child labour in Tanzanian artisanal gold mines on Wednesday 28 August 2013. The report found children as young as five years old are widely involved in the industry, and face risks relating to...
http://sciencythoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/four-year-old-boy-killed-by-landslide.htmlFour year old boy killed by landslide in Bududa District, eastern Uganda.                  A four year old boy has been confirmed dead, and a number of other people are missing, following...
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