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All Journal Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management
Samaniego, Jessie O.
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Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology

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Pollution assessment and mercury leaching using environmentally friendly solvents from small-scale gold mine wastes in Camarines Norte Aglibot, Jan Melchor B.; Tanciongco, Alexandria M.; Quierrez, Rico Neil M.; Gervasio, John Henry C.; Rasay, Anie Felicia P.; Acampado, Jesica B.; Peregrino, Fern Rose A.; Estoque, Jessa Mae V.; Samaniego, Jessie O.
Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management Vol. 12 No. 4 (2025)
Publisher : Brawijaya University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.15243/jdmlm.2025.124.8139

Abstract

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) have become a significant global concern due to their detrimental effects on both ecological and public health. Monitoring these elements is crucial in areas suspected of having high concentrations. In Camarines Norte, small-scale gold mining (SSGM) activities have been linked to elevated mercury levels in soils and sediments, as it is commonly used in the gold extraction process. In this study, six (6) SSGM wastes from Camarines Norte were collected, analyzed, characterized, and assessed for pollution by eight (8) PTEs: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and mercury (Hg). Analytical techniques such as energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), x-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and direct mercury analyzer (DMA) were utilized. Analysis shows quartz (SiO?) as the primary mineral among all samples, with some also containing albite, biotite, kaolinite, microcline, and sphalerite. Pollution was assessed using enrichment factor (EF) and index of geoaccumulation (Igeo), which showed that the SSGM waste samples were extremely enriched and contaminated with As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn. Gold concentrations were also measured, revealing high levels of enrichment in the samples. Furthermore, one of the SSGM waste samples underwent Hg leaching using environmentally friendly solvents, including deep eutectic solvents (DES). The reduced mercury concentrations after leaching demonstrate the potential application of DES for mercury remediation.
Pollution assessment and mercury speciation of small-scale gold mine (SSGM) tailings, sediments, and ore from Camarines Norte, Philippines Dela Cruz, Kyla Mae T.; Madayag, Juniela Anne T.; Arpa, Maria Carmencita B.; Samaniego, Jessie O.; Peregrino, Fern Rose A.; Quierrez, Rico Neil M.; Tanciongco, Alexandria M.
Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management Vol. 12 No. 4 (2025)
Publisher : Brawijaya University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.15243/jdmlm.2025.124.8023

Abstract

The municipalities of Jose Panganiban and Paracale, Camarines Norte, are notable “mining districts,” where small-scale miners use mercury (Hg) to extract gold, despite its being banned under Republic Act 7076 of the People’s Small Scale Mining Act of 1991. In this study, 17 sediment samples from coastal/marine, river, and mine tailings were collected and analyzed for the following: (1) pollution assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTE), (2) total Hg concentration on particle size distribution, and (3) mercury speciation. The results showed that mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) were the most significant pollutants and contaminants. Enrichment levels using Enrichment Factor (EF) ranked as Hg > Cr > Zn > Ni > As > Fe > Cu > V > Mn > Sr > Ca. Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) and Potential Ecological Risk Factor (Er) confirmed that As and Hg posed the highest environmental threats, with Hg likely coming from mining and As naturally occurring but disturbed by mining activities. The mercury concentration patterns varied by location, where river sediments concentrated Hg in medium silt, coastal sediments had scattered Hg levels due to more extended transport, and mine tailings had irregular Hg distribution since they were the source. Moreover, the mercury speciation showed a consistent result of Hg (I) among all the samples and a remarkable peak for Hg0 with the tailings samples, suggesting incomplete oxidation from mining.
Assessment of mercury and natural radioactivity in sediments from a small-scale gold mining legacy tailings pond in Camarines Norte, Philippines De Juan, Airah Sophia J.; Villanueva, Margarette Denise Leine; Arpa, Maria Carmencita B.; Samaniego, Jessie O.; Peregrino, Fern Rose A.
Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management Vol. 13 No. 3 (2026)
Publisher : Brawijaya University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.15243/jdmlm.2026.133.10809

Abstract

Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte, is notable for small-scale gold mining, which produces waste stored in tailings storage facilities such as tailings ponds. These operations potentially pose environmental risks to nearby ecosystems and local communities due to hazardous substances, including mercury (Hg) used in ore processing, and elevated radionuclide concentrations from land disturbance. This study assessed the presence of the abovementioned pollutants in a legacy tailings pond to evaluate human and environmental risks. Sampling points were established around the pond for in-situ gamma-ray spectrometry measurements of radionuclides and for laboratory analysis of mercury. Assessment of radiological risk parameters showed that computed values were well below established global averages. Radiological assessments used NORMALYSA simulation, and results indicated that the absorbed dose rate in the study area remains below the public safety limit of 1 mSv/year. In contrast, mercury analysis revealed that certain sampling points exceeded the global background for soils, indicating localized contamination. Mercury speciation analysis reveals that Hg(I) was the predominant mercury species identified in soil samples. The geoaccumulation index assessment indicated that some sites are strongly to extremely contaminated with mercury, while locations farther from the tailings pond exhibited minimal risk of mercury contamination. Although radiometric analysis did not detect anomalous radionuclide elevation attributable to mine waste, localized mercury contamination remains a significant environmental concern.
Environmental risks and resource potential in small-scale gold mine tailings: A case study of Camarines Norte and Benguet, Philippines Gibaga, Cris Reven L.; Samaniego, Jessie O.; Tanciongco, Alexandria M.; Quierrez, Rico Neil M.; Gervasio, John Henry C; Bautista VII, Angel T.
Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management Vol. 13 No. 3 (2026)
Publisher : Brawijaya University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.15243/jdmlm.2026.133.10787

Abstract

The tailings from the small-scale gold mining (SSGM) process are considered an environmental risk despite still containing precious metals. The tailings from three (3) small-scale mining sites, namely Paracale-Gumaus, Thanksgiving, and Antamok, were evaluated for both their environmental risk index as well as the amount of metals that are present. Results indicate that the tailings from the Paracale-Gumaus area have higher amounts of Au and Ag content at 26.9 mg/kg and 65.6 mg/kg, respectively, while having high amounts of mercury, arsenic, lead, and zinc. The Thanksgiving tailings, on the other hand, have low amounts of precious metals (Au: 2.9 mg/kg; Ag: 9.1 mg/kg) but have the highest environmental risk due to the presence of Cd. On the other hand, the Antamok tailings have relatively less contaminated levels, though there is an enrichment in potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The findings show the importance of adopting an approach to SSGM tailings management that involves risk mitigation alongside sustainable recovery processes, such as the use of green extraction techniques, which could lead to more effective recovery processes without causing much environmental damage. The findings clearly show that SSGM tailings can be categorized as resource-oriented, risk-oriented, or both. These findings serve as a foundation for classifying the SSGM tailings that will be remediated or recovered in the Philippines and other regions where artisanal mining takes place.
Co-Authors Acampado, Jesica B. Aglibot, Jan Melchor B. Arpa, Maria Carmencita B. Bautista VII, Angel T. De Juan, Airah Sophia J. Dela Cruz, Kyla Mae T. Estoque, Jessa Mae V. Gervasio, John Henry C Gervasio, John Henry C. Gibaga, Cris Reven L. Madayag, Juniela Anne T. Peregrino, Fern Rose A. Quierrez, Rico Neil M. Rasay, Anie Felicia P. Tanciongco, Alexandria M. Villanueva, Margarette Denise Leine