ASGM acts as the primary source of income for perhaps 10– 15 million people globally (UNEP and Artisanal Gold Council 2012). Estimates indicate that 20 % of global gold supply is provided in this way (ibid). ASGM miners utilize a range of methods to extract gold from ore. Most common among these is mercury amalgamation, which frequently results in significant fugitive emissions to air and surface water.