Environmental and Health Impacts from Mercury used in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM), Spotlight Series

Environmental and Health Impacts from Mercury used in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM)

Mercury use in small-scale gold mining is the largest source of global mercury pollution and damages some of the most ecologically fragile environment and the health of miners and their communities.  How can we minimize the negative impacts and encourage more sustainable mercury-free mining? Join us for a short presentation on the environmental and health impacts of mercury use in ASGM in Colombia and Latin America and discussions on current work and challenges.
 

Shun-Ping Chau (Ping), P.E., MPH.  Ping has a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering and a master’s degree in mining engineering, both from the Colorado School of Mines, and a master’s degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University.  She has been an on-scene-coordinator with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since 2002 and began working with the US Department of State’s (DOS) Mercury Program in 2018.  Currently she works 60% for EPA and 40% for DOS under an interagency agreement.  Prior to joining EPA, she worked as a geologist and mining engineer in Australia, Chile, China, Italy, Mexico, and South Africa.