Knowledge of and adherence to the cyanide code among small-scale gold miners in Northern Tanzania
- Mwanza, Tanzania: Black Smith Institute & Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando] 2017/6
- Pages 4-14
- Journal of Health and Pollution Volume 7 Issue 14 .
Background. Tanzania has seen explosive development in small scale gold mining (SGM) operations. Recently, the use of cyanide has become more common in SGM, especially in the reprocessing of mercury-amalgamated tailings from artisanal mining sites.
Objectives. The primary objective of this study was to examine the level of knowledge and adherence to the Cyanide Code among workers and managers at SGM operations in northwestern Tanzania that use cyanide for gold extraction, focusing on workers' safety.
Methods. A cross-sectional study of workers and managers at 17 selected SGM sites was conducted. A random-cluster approach was used to recruit 215 mine workers and 23 mine managers who worked at the same sites for more than three months. Individuals participated in structured face-to-face interviews. Site evaluation …