Title: 'Fair trade' gold: A key to alleviating mercury pollution in sub-Saharan Africa?

Authors: John Childs

Addresses: Institute for Development Policy and Management, School of Environment and Development, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK

Abstract: This paper critically assesses the ability of |Fair Trade| gold to reduce mercury usage in small-scale gold mines through standard setting. It identifies the barriers – both practical and theoretical – that must be overcome to bring such an initiative to fruition. It concludes by questioning the auditing approach, asking whether the tenets of Fair-Trade-discourse of |partnership| and |responsibility| are conceptually shared by operators it has targeted.

Keywords: fair trade gold; mercury; small-scale mining; gold mining; artisanal mining; environment; environmental pollution; human health; health risks; sub-Saharan Africa; Ghana.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2010.033235

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2010 Vol.41 No.3/4, pp.259 - 271

Published online: 14 May 2010 *

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