Firms Squirm At Shame Of Exposure Over Human Rights And Environmental Contempt

And the US mining corporation Freeport McMoran makes the list for allegedly running the world's largest gold and copper mine, in West Papua, "without regard for nature or people".
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/firms-squirm-at-shame-of-exposure-over-human-rights-and-environmental-contempt-6292852.html

Peru Protesters Won’t Accept Newmont Environmental Review

“The problems caused by environmental impact are going to get worse if the government continues to act as judge and jury,” Santos, president of the regional government of Cajamarca, told reporters in Lima today. “All these mining projects are located in fragile watersheds so they’re too complicated to be viable.”
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-20/peru-protesters-won-t-accept-newmont-environmental-review.html

PHILIPPINES: Artisanal Mining Compounds landslide Risk

According to the MGB, up to 80 percent of the Philippines is landslide prone, making the country the fourth most exposed to landslide risk after Indonesia, India and China. 
At the same time, the country is also among the richest in mineral resources, making for a particularly deadly mix. 
There are between 200,000 and 300,000 small-scale miners nationwide, Jasareno says. 
"Sixty to 80 percent of them don't have permits. They're not regulated and they don't follow rules," he said, noting that many small-scale miners are also using heavy equipment. 
"Their operations certainly add pressure to the soil," the official added. 
According to the World Bank, an estimated 20 million men, women and children worldwide from over 50 developing countries are engaged in artisanal and small-scale mining, while a further 100 million depend on it for their livelihoods. 
These numbers are growing in line with higher prices and demand for minerals both in developed countries and emerging economies such as China and India. 
http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=94629

Weighing the Environmental Costs Of Economic Recovery

That statement is backed up by the Environmental Protection Agency’s recently released Toxics Release Inventory for 2010, which shows a substantial increase in the release of toxic chemicals, after years of decline, attributed largely to mining.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amywestervelt/2012/01/18/weighing-the-environmental-costs-of-economic-recovery/

Brazilian Mining Industry Overview: A Reflection On The Current Marketplace

However, to the market’s potential detriment include a number of strong barriers such as; the prevalence of illegal mining activities, mercury pollution, crime rates which cannot be ignored, un-controlled offshore incidents such as piracy and armed robberies and finally potential challenges with border regions for mineral explorers (with specific reference to narcotic smuggling).
http://www.miningiq.com/mining/articles/brazilian-mining-industry-overview-a-reflection-on/

Mercury Releases Into The Atmosphere From Ancient To Modern Times

The researchers predict mercury released from mining and fuel may take as many as 2,000 years to exit the environment and be reincorporated into rocks and minerals in Earth.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111214102858.htm

Guyana-There Is No Report Of What Tests Were Done On The Water Of The Haieka River

Why is no one testing for mercury in the waters? Inorganic mercury poisoning can also kill fish and cause the symptoms of gastroenteritis. If without using a retort miners burn off mercury from the amalgam with gold above 300°C then it can form mercury oxide, which though sparingly soluble in water, can wait to react with water of low pH (caused, eg, by nitrates generated by thunderstorms), or salt (eg, from disposed cooked food). This is distinct from the formation of methylmercury, which is a chronic neurotoxin and a bigger problem.
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2012/opinion/letters/01/21/there-is-no-report-of-what-tests-were-done-on-the-water-of-the-haieka-river/