Tuesday, 13th July 2004 (3286 views)

Precious metal miners are using new techniques to help determine if mines are safe from poisonous gases.

In the past canaries were used but now scientists in Australia are using everyday garden insects to measure carcinogenic arsenic levels in old gold mines, according to Reuters.

"What we really need to determine are what are safe levels and what are not," Suzie Reichman, the scientist heading the two-year study explained.

A considerable amount of contaminants can be found in mining waste, which can contaminate soil and be dangerous if they enter the environment in large amounts, and acceptable levels have not yet been established in insects.

University of Melbourne scientists have already found some plant types that can absorb such arsenic and heavy metals from the ground, but still need to see how insects are affected when they eat them.

Around 300 tonnes of gold are mined in Australia each year, making it the third largest producer of the metal.

If the study finds the levels are unsafe then companies may have to convert mine waste sites into some sort of commercial area and create alternative clean-up methods.

 

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