Dead End: The Nigerian Gold Rush and Lead Poisoning Crisis

Unlicensed miners are filling sacks with ore containing gold and other metals, including lead, to be sold and processed in artisanal sites, near Dareta village, Zamfara State, Nigeria. On October 28, 2011, in this very same mining site, four workers died buried under the ground when a pit suddenly collapsed. The lead contamination is caused by ingestion and breathing of particles released in the steps to isolate the gold from other metals. This type of lead is soluble in stomach acid and children under-5 are most affected, as they tend to ingest more through their hands by touching the ground, and are developing symptoms often leading to death or serious disabilities.

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Copyright: Alex Masi - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Please Contact: alex@alexmasi.co.uk
Image Size: 5616x3744 / 17.2MB; MSF activities activity artisanal contamination crisis death dying emergency extraction gold health illness islamic lead medicinal medicine miner mineral mining minor muslim nigeria north-west northern pollution portrait region remediation safety sale technique toxic trade treatment under unsafe young youth zamfara
Contained in galleries: Lead Poisoning and Artisanal Gold Mining in Zamfara

Unlicensed miners are filling sacks with ore containing gold and other metals, including lead, to be sold and processed in artisanal sites, near Dareta village, Zamfara State, Nigeria. On October 28, 2011, in this very same mining site, four workers died buried under the ground when a pit suddenly collapsed. The lead contamination is caused by ingestion and breathing of particles released in the steps to isolate the gold from other metals. This type of lead is soluble in stomach acid and children under-5 are most affected, as they tend to ingest more through their hands by touching the ground, and are developing symptoms often leading to death or serious disabilities.