Deep within the Sierra Gorda mountains of Mexico, a surge in mercury mining is reshaping local life amidst growing environmental and health concerns. As international gold prices skyrocket, so too does the demand for mercury—an element essential to many illegal gold mining operations. This demand has sparked a frantic resurgence in mercury mining, particularly in San Joaquin, a small town in Queretaro state, where miners like Hugo Flores dig tunnels in search of this toxic mineral.
Over the past 15 years, the price of mercury has soared more than tenfold, now selling for between $240 and $350 per kilogram, compared to just $20 in 2011. With their livelihoods intertwined with this lethal element, many local miners are reluctantly accepting the risks, as echoed by medical researcher Fernando Díaz-Barriga, who has studied mercury mines for years. He noted that the miners are aware of the dangers but feel compelled to endure the hazards for a chance at financial gain.
In towns like San Joaquin, a tradition of mercury mining spans centuries, initially providing a legal source for various products until stricter regulations led to a global ban. Today, much of the mercury extracted here is trafficked to countries in South America, notably Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru, where illegal gold mining operations pose a significant threat to local ecosystems and communities.
As miners toil in the hazardous conditions underground, they follow veins of cinnabar, the ore from which mercury is derived. The extraction process is rudimentary and unsafe. After collecting the mineral, it is heated in wood-fired brick ovens, converting the mercury into vapor, which condenses into liquid mercury collected in makeshift containers.
Local miners face a complex economy. Buyers, referred to as “coyotes,” purchase mercury at low rates only to sell it at a significant markup in other countries, leaving miners like Carlos Martínez feeling exploited. This exploitation is coupled with the stark reality that many miners perceive little choice in their profession, with few viable alternatives for family sustenance, further exacerbated by regional poverty.
Health concerns surrounding mercury exposure are profound. Early tests indicate dangerously high levels of mercury in both miners and their families, manifesting in ailments such as neurological decline and tremors. Rodríguez, a lawyer working closely with miners, mentioned her own struggles with mercury poisoning, a horrifying testament to the mining’s impact on human health within the community.
As the mercury boom continues, many local miners are witnessing a return of young men from the U.S. searching for job opportunities. However, the allure of higher pay comes with the heavy cost of health risks and environmental degradation. The Sierra Gorda region, recognized for its biodiversity and protected status, faces a potential ecological crisis as mercury contamination threatens wildlife and local water sources.
The Mexican government’s responses to the situation have sparked skepticism among miners and environmental advocates alike. While the government pledged funds to transition workers to safer occupations, many report that little assistance has materialized. Furthermore, with the rise of illegal mining operations, the presence of organized crime raises alarms regarding safety and the potential for violence in these communities.
As the global demand for gold remains strong amid economic uncertainties, miners speculate that the demand for mercury will persist, raising concerns about long-term sustainability. The narrative in San Joaquin reflects a conflicted reality—human health, environmental stewardship, and economic survival are precariously balanced, leaving the community wrestling with the consequences of their choices in a poisoned landscape.
