Cyanide Endangers Itogen people In Phiippines

The Itogon Council wants to study effects of small-scale mining activities in town in fear the stench of cyanide is putting the health of residents of the Gumatdang area in peril.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2011/12/12/cyanide-endangers-itogon-folk-195494

Galamsey: A Look Through Another Lens

A practical illustration is the issue of the use of mercury by Galamsey operators. In order to get to the point that the PMMC can buy their gold, collected gold gravel and flakes must be amalgamated into a sellable form. Some people melt the gold together in a furnace, but another common method involves mixing it with mercury and then burning the mercury back off. This leads to release of mercury, a harmful substance into the environment. Legalisation for example could provide for the purchase of these gravels and flakes for a more environmentally friendly process to be used in their processing.
http://www.ghanamma.com/2011/12/galamsey-a-look-through-another-lens/

China Demand Drives Global Mining Surge

Such investments performed powerful booster roles for national and local economies amid the rising concerns of another financial crisis, often providing thousands of jobs in remote communities around the globe.
But the mining companies' rapidly expanding global footprints also created social tensions and triggered concerns about the cost their operations will have on the environment
http://www.skynews.com.au/businessnews/article.aspx?id=695422&vId=

Militarizing Mining in Mexico

Eventually, the Ejido signed an agreement with Minefinders, but problems remain. Last year, a tear in the liner of a heap leach pad, which has yet to be fully repaired, caused leakage of contaminants near the mine site. Environmentalists and human rights organizations in the area confirmed that they fear travelling to the mine site, because the road to the mine is under the control of organized crime groups....
http://www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/4301