Evaluation of Mercury Use and Associated Health Impacts in Gold Processing Communities in Niger State, North Central Nigeria

Mercury amalgamation remains the dominant gold extraction technique in artisanal mining communities in Niger State, North Central Nigeria, despite its well-documented toxicological risks. This study evaluates the extent of mercury use in gold processing and associated health impacts across five mining communities in Niger State. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating hair sample collection for mercury biomonitoring from 200 community members, structured health interviews, and observation of amalgamation practices. Hair mercury concentrations were analysed using cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry. Findings reveal that mercury concentrations in hair samples of processors exceed the World Health Organisation reference value of 2 micrograms per gram in 74 percent of cases, with women and children showing particularly elevated levels due to household proximity to amalgamation sites. Neurological symptoms including tremors, memory impairment, and irritability were self-reported by a significant proportion of high-exposure respondents. The study documents the use of retorts in fewer than 10 percent of operations, indicating near-universal open-air burning of amalgam. Recommendations include the promotion of retort adoption, community mercury literacy programmes, and engagement with the Minamata Convention obligations of the Nigerian Government. This research provides the most recent community-level biomonitoring data available for mercury-using artisanal mining communities in Niger State. Keywords: mercury, artisanal gold mining, Niger State, biomonitoring, health impacts.