The Hidden Cost of Gold: Miners, Mercury and a Path to Sustainability
Olga González, a gemologist and communications strategist, examines the urgent global challenge of mercury pollution in artisanal gold mining. González highlights how mercury-free extraction methods, combined with responsible sourcing and Fairmined certification, are transforming the industry. From the Amazon rainforest to Ghana, miners, designers, and consumers are increasingly collaborating to protect ecosystems, human health and the integrity of gold.