In some recent media stories, inaccurate information has been disseminated about Paracatu and arsenic exposure. Below are the scientific facts.
MYTH: Paracatu residents have been exposed to daily chronic arsenic poisoning released from the mine.
FACT: A baseless claim: there is no scientific evidence to support this allegation. More Less >
- The results of extensive scientific research involving years of data sampling by leading arsenic experts and diagnostic specialists in Brazil and abroad have found arsenic exposure levels in Paracatu to be low, with no evidence of adverse health effects related to arsenic. Kinross’ mining activities are considered to be an insignificant contributor to overall arsenic exposure. [1]
- The overwhelming source of arsenic exposure in Paracatu, as it is globally, comes from food, which is not typically considered to be of concern.[2] Arsenic is naturally occurring throughout earth’s crust. This does not mean that it is released or is capable of being absorbed by the human body.
- There is no detectable levels of arsenic in public drinking water (COPASA), which poses the greatest threat to public health from arsenic, as has been well documented in Bangladesh and China.
- According to researchers from the University of Queensland and the Federal University of Minas Gerais, the arsenic in airborne dust and soil represents an “insignificant” contribution to the total daily intake of arsenic in Paracatu (less than 5%)[3].
- During the mining process at Paracatu, almost all the arsenic embedded in the ore remains in a stable, unaltered mineral form (arsenopyrite). The gold is selectively leached from the minerals, without breaking down the minerals themselves. According to well-established mining practices, the left over ore is stored separately in secure containment facilities designed to prevent the release of arsenic.
- Extensive sampling indicates arsenic in airborne dust and mineralized soil around the mine site is a very minor contributor to overall arsenic exposure (less than 5%).[4]
- While the mineralized soil is naturally high in arsenic, only a very small fraction – less than 2% – would be available to be absorbed by the human body – and therefore the bioavailable concentration, according to Brazilian regulation, does not pose a risk to human health.[5]
MYTH: Part of the inorganic arsenic is dissolved in dam waters and drained in rivers.
FACT: There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that arsenic is draining from the tailings dam into nearby rivers. More Less >
- Furthermore, this statement ignores the numerous licensing requirements, environmental protection measures and monitoring that are part of the mine’s daily operation and to which Kinross strictly adheres.
- The water in the Santo Antonio and Estaquio tailings dams is not toxic and only contains residual amounts of arsenic. The dams are specially designed to prevent the release of arsenic.
- Rather than dissolving in the water, the leftover ore remains in a stable, unaltered form. Its storage in water, according to well-established mining practice, prevents oxidization and the release of arsenic over time.
- Dams are constructed with iron-rich, ‘saprolitic’ clay which chemically bonds with any trace amounts of arsenic and immobilizes it. The water is then filtered through a limestone bed before release.
- As a result, regular monitoring of the water immediately downstream of the tailings facility shows arsenic levels to be below detection and water quality to be well within regulatory limits.
MYTH: Arsenic has been released into the atmosphere as a fine particulate material, dust and gas.
FACT: Research indicates the contribution of airborne arsenic dust is “insignificant” to the total daily intake of arsenic in Paracatu (below 5%). More Less >
- There are five air and dust monitoring stations strategically located around the city, including directly downwind of the mine, which monitor air quality levels in real time and are publically available online on the site of the State Environmental Foundation ( FEAM ) : http://www.feam.br/qualidade-do-ar.
- Kinross also operates a community hotline to receive and respond to complaints in real time – no complaints regarding dust were received in 2014 or to date in 2015.
- Air filters installed as part of the CETEM study found arsenic levels to be comparable to other big cities and within acceptable exposure limits.
- According to some 600 dust samples collected by researchers from the Federal University of Minas Gerais and Queensland University, the arsenic in airborne dust represents an “insignificant” contribution to overall arsenic exposure in Paracatu, equivalent to less than 5% of total intake.
- Urine testing is the most effective measure of arsenic exposure and sampling by CETEM researchers found exposure levels in Paracatu to be lower than in the US and comparable to cities in Sao Paolo state with no history of arsenic exposure. As a result, they concluded that exposure was considered “low.”
- There are no processes at Paracatu that convert arsenic into gas.
MYTH: There is no safe level of arsenic.
FACT: People everywhere are exposed to trace amounts of arsenic every day. It is found naturally in the earth’s crust, in our water, in the air we breathe and in many of the foods we consume, including seafood and rice. More Less >
- Arsenic is the 33rd most abundant element (by mass) in the human body, and the average body contains 5-10 mg of arsenic.
- The World Health Organization and leading environmental agencies such as the US Environmental Protection Agency, and CONAMA in Brazil, define benchmark safe levels for arsenic in water, air, food and total daily intake among other measures.
- The benchmark dose set by the WHO for total daily arsenic intake is 3 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day.
- For an adult weighing 70kg, this is equivalent to consuming 12 servings of rice (160 grams per serving) everyday over the course of one’s life.
- The benchmark reference level for water is 10 parts per billion or 10 µg/L. (WHO, USEPA)
MYTH: Studies, including the CETEM study, are not independent.
FACT: The CETEM study was conducted over three years with the support of more than 70 researchers, including epidemiologists, biochemists and environmental geologists from five partnering institutions and led by CETEM, a federal government research institute. More Less >
- Its central findings, based on extensive epidemiological studies of close to 800 Paracatu residents, clearly concluded that environmental exposure to arsenic in Paracatu is “low;” urine testing indicated lower exposure than in the US and comparable to cities in Sao Paolo state with no history of arsenic exposure.
- The fact that Kinross has retained CETEM in the past to undertake technical work regarding gold recoveries – which has nothing to do with arsenic – has no bearing whatsoever on CETEM’s independence or that of its experts.
- The study was conducted over three years with the support of more than 70 researchers, including epidemiologists, biochemists and environmental geologists from five partnering institutions and led by CETEM, one of the largest and most important mining technology research institutes in Brazil and part of the federal government’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
- To challenge the integrity and credibility of CETEM, other well-established partnering institutions, and more than 70 researchers involved in the process, is a serious accusation.
- In addition, the State Public Attorney was closely involved in the overall coordination and public presentation of the study.
- Almir Paraca, former Paracatu mayor and current Minas Gerais Deputy, commented on his website following the public release of the CETEM study results in December 2014: “We rely on the trustworthiness of the study. The institutions involved in this are serious and with great reputation. The study, in addition to reassuring our community, also highlights an important point: the continuity of monitoring. Now completed this crucial issue for the city, we are able to advance a qualified discussion not only with the mining company, but with the city and the community to address the implementation of local sustainable development plans”.
MYTH: Gold mining causes arsenic to be released in water and is a risk to human health.
FACT: This is scientifically baseless and demonstrates a lack of basic knowledge and understanding about the chemical nature of arsenopyrite and its ability to be absorbed by the human body. More Less >
- The results of extensive scientific research involving years of data sampling by leading arsenic experts and diagnostic specialists in Brazil and abroad is clear: there is no scientific evidence of adverse health effects related to arsenic in Paracatu and Kinross’ mining activities are a very minor contributor to overall arsenic exposure.
- During the mining process, almost all the arsenic embedded in the ore remains in a stable, unaltered mineral form (arsenopyrite) and is not released. The gold is selectively leached from the minerals, without breaking down the minerals themselves. According to well-established mining practice, leftover arsenic-bearing ore is stored separately in secure containment facilities, designed to prevent the release of arsenic.
- Native arsenopyrite, which is a naturally occurring element in Paracatu, is very different from arsenic trioxide, a very toxic byproduct produced when arsenic-containing minerals in the ore are broken down during a specific step in the mining process known as oxidization or roasting and arsenic is released. Kinross’ Paracatu mine does not produce this byproduct because we do not require this step for processing.
- In addition, a number of dust control measures are employed, including spraying roadways with water and polymers, and replanting disturbed areas.
- According to some 600 dust samples collected by researchers from the Federal University of Minas Gerais and Queensland University (INCT-Acqua), the arsenic in airborne dust represents an “insignificant” contribution to overall arsenic exposure in Paracatu, equivalent to less than 5% of total intake.
- Regular monitoring by the company as well as independent analysis by CETEM has found no ground water contamination from Kinross operations.
- Water quality immediately downstream of the tailings facility is well within regulatory
MYTH: Rock fragments are treated with chemicals, releasing more arsenic and end up in the tailings damns.
FACT: This is a technically incorrect. The Santo Antonio and Estaquio tailings dams are not toxic and the waste ore stored there contains only residual amounts of arsenic. More Less >
- There are two different categories of tailings, or waste, that are generated during the mining process. At the beginning of the process, the gold-bearing arsenopyrite is separated from the ore. That leftover ore, which contains only residual amounts of arsenic is stored in the Santo Antonio and Estaquio tailings dams. In a second stage of processing, the gold is then extracted from the arsenopyrite and the leftover tailings, which have a higher concentration of arsenic, are stored in separate containment facilities, specifically designed to prevent the release of arsenic
MYTH: Chemical waste from the mud discharged into the tailings dams pollute streams below the dam.
FACT: This statement is scientifically false and lacks evidence. Water quality immediately downstream of the tailings facility is well within regulatory limits. More Less >
- The waste does not “react” with the clay. It bonds with it, immobilizing most of it.
- There is no evidence of fracturing. The tailings facilities are regularly monitored and reviewed annually by an independent, third party expert, in adherence with Brazilian legislation and global standards of best practice.
- Consequently, water quality immediately downstream of the tailings facility is well within regulatory limits.
- There are other streams in the area that register higher levels of arsenic. These streams have been subject to uncontrolled, informal garimpeiro mining for nearly 300 years, which caused significant environmental damage.
- This damage, which predated Kinross, has nothing to do with our operations and to insinuate otherwise is to ignore the very well documented historical record on this subject.
- Since the garimpeiro activity was formally stopped in 1990[6], the water quality in these streams has steadily improved.
MYTH: The cancer rates in Paracatu are higher than average.
FACT: This is patently false, as two studies confirmed rates are generally the same as those in Minas Gerais. More Less >
- Two studies, one by the Minas Gerais Centre for for Environmental and Epidemiological Studies (CEMEA) in 2012 and another by CETEM in 2014, confirm that cancer rates in Paracatu are generally the same as those observed in Minas Gerais, typically less than for Brazil overall, and well below rates in some other cities such as Nova Lima.[7]
MYTH: These cancer statistics are unreliable.
FACT: This is untrue. The home towns of cancer patients are registered and tracked by by both state and federal government agencies. More Less >
- In the case of Paracatu, patients are referred principally to the Barretos Hospital in Sao Paulo State, which received 100 patients from Paracatu in 2014, not 1,000, as was erroneously reported in a CQC broadcast in March, 2015.
MYTH: Arsenic poses a risk to children.
FACT: According to peer-reviewed studies by researchers at the Federal University of Lavras, arsenic in soil and sediments does not pose a health risk to children. More Less >
- The exposure was found to be less than 10% of the level that would be considered a risk.[8]
- While the CETEM study concludes that exposure levels are low, it notes that children are potentially a higher risk group. As CETEM did not include children in its study, it therefore recommends further investigation, which is being undertaken.
MYTH: Kinross employees are unaware of company health testing results.
FACT: When it comes to our employees, their families and the city at large, health and safety is our first priority. More Less >
- As per a request from the Mayor, Kinross provided the results of its bi-annual health testing dating back to 2008.
- By law Kinross is required to perform mandatory testing in areas where there are considered to be occupational hazards. The only workplace at Paracatu where monitoring shows arsenic poses a potential hazard is the refinery, which employs six people out of a workforce of 1,379.
- Nevertheless Kinross voluntarily extended the testing program to more than 1,000 employees, of which an average of 700-900 participate a year.
- The results are communicated to employees during their periodic medical checks.
- All tested employees are currently found to be below screening levels for arsenic.
- In an effort to further expand the program, Kinross will be offering voluntary testing to all 1,379 employees and is undertaking new measures to proactively provide employees with their test results.
[1] CETEM AND “Assessment of the Impact to the Environment and Human Health from the Occurrence of Arsenic in the Region of Morro do Ouro Mine, Paracatu, Minas Gerais, Brazil”
[2] “Assessment of the Impact to the Environment and Human Health from the Occurrence of Arsenic in the Region of Morro do Ouro Mine, Paracatu, Minas Gerais, Brazil”
[3] “Assessment of the Impact to the Environment and Human Health from the Occurrence of Arsenic in the Region of Morro do Ouro Mine, Paracatu, Minas Gerais, Brazil”
[4] “Assessment of the Impact to the Environment and Human Health from the Occurrence of Arsenic in the Region of Morro do Ouro Mine, Paracatu, Minas Gerais, Brazil”
[5] Ibid
[6] Olivera Mello , pag Oliveira Mello , Minas Reveladas, pag 471).
[7] Cetem, page 64
[8] Arsenic bioaccessibilty in gold mining areas: a health risk assessment for children, Ono et al, Environ Geochem Health, 2011
Social Links (English)