"For the sake of my people I will not keep silent" (Isaiah 62:1)
Life
goes on, in Bozoum. Among the various construction sites (schools and
the radio station), the preparation of formations for 250 masters, the
work of the fields, time passes.
But some problems remain. Rather!
Last
week the results of the analysis of the waters of the Ouham River, here
in Bozoum, were made public. The samples taken near the sites where the
Chinese companies extract the gold revealed very troublesome data: in
addition to the very high turbidity, there are iron and, unfortunately,
also a lot of mercury, as we feared.
Mercury
is used to "concentrate" gold: once extracted everything must be heated
to separate the gold from the mercury. It is a very dangerous practice,
and because of contamination mercury is found throughout our water, air
and vegetables, thus affecting the entire food chain.
Unfortunately,
although the results were published, there was no reaction from the
authorities. No precaution and no information given to the people.
On
Sunday, after Mass, I informed those present about the problem, and I
invited everyone to pay attention, not to go to the river to wash
clothes, or for the artisan extraction of gold. And this is especially
for women and children, who are most at risk.
Unfortunately,
Monday morning I saw, with concern, dozens of women and children going
to the river to look for gold (some women even pregnant).
What can we do?
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| Il rapporto sull'analisi delle acque del fiume Ouham a Bozoum Le rapport de l'analyse des eaux de l'Ouham à Bozoum |
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| Le risaie di Bozoum les rizières de Bozoum |
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