Manipueira Gold is transforming the artisanal gold mining sector with its innovative, plant-based extract solution. This pioneering technology replaces toxic mercury and cyanide salts with Manipueira, a natural extract from the abundant cyanogenic bitter cassava plant. We spoke with Bruce Cosgrove, the CEO of Manipueira Gold, the company behind the initiative, to learn more about the details of this approach.
“Manipueira Gold has pioneered an ESG-driven climate action initiative, innovative technology, solution, and strategy aimed at replacing mercury and cyanide salts as lixiviants (leaching agents) in artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) with Manipueira (Manihot esculenta Crantz), an extract solution from the abundantly available cyanogenic bitter cassava plant,” Cosgrove explained. He emphasized that Manipueira recovers 99.6% of the gold from mercury-contaminated tailings wastes and 99.3% of the gold from ore concentrates in just 2 hours when employing a modified version of the Merrill-Crowe gold cementation process (MMCP).
Cosgrove credited Dr. Marcello M. Veiga, Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia, for initiating the core idea of using Manipueira as a lixiviant. “All the credit goes to Dr. Marcello M. Veiga… who conceived and developed the manipueira leaching protocol,” he said.
When asked about his approach, Cosgrove replied, “After extensive research and collaboration with experts dedicated to mitigating the health risks posed by mercury and its detrimental effects on global biodiversity, I advocate for a broader approach to this critical issue.” He highlighted the importance of targeting ore processing centers, which collectively process an estimated 85-90% of ore from approximately 18-20 million artisanal miners annually.
Bruce Cosgrove emphasized the significant health benefits of his technology, stating, “Mercury is a potent neurotoxin… Chronic exposure… can lead to irreversible health problems. Replacing mercury with Manipueira drastically reduces these health risks by eliminating direct contact with the toxic metal.” He also noted that the technology reduces environmental mercury contamination, prevents chronic health issues, and protects vulnerable populations.
When discussing the challenges of implementing this technology in Southern Ecuador, Cosgrove said, “The ore processing center owners… are not receptive to replacing mercury.” He explained that the company has a 4-stage transformative strategy to introduce and demonstrate the effectiveness of their technology, addressing these challenges and promoting substantial improvements in gold recovery rates.
Cosgrove highlighted the alignment of Manipueira Gold’s solution with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stating, “Our company’s solution aligns with several of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)… contributing to improved overall well-being, safer drinking water, sustainable economic growth, and more.”
Looking to the future, Bruce Cosgrove envisioned a transformative shift in the industry, saying, “The future of gold mining is poised for a transformative shift with the adoption of our technology… leading to increased gold recovery efficiency, cleaner, and safer practices, wider adoption of environmentally responsible mining, and alignment with global sustainability initiatives.”
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