'Fair trade' gold: A key to alleviating mercury pollution in sub-Saharan Africa?. (17th May 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Childs, John
• Is Part Of: International journal of environment and pollution. Volume 41:Number 3/4(2010)
• Page Start: 259
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2010-05-17
• Subjects: fair trade gold -- mercury -- small-scale mining -- gold mining -- artisanal mining -- environment -- environmental pollution -- human health -- health risks -- sub-Saharan Africa -- Ghana; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Periodicals; 363.73
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-4352

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.