A look at the links between mining and agriculture

The purpose of this publication is, on the one hand, to present the history of the discovery of gold in the province of Ituri as well as the mode of exploitation and processing of ores as well as to sound the alarm bells. on the massive presence of mercury in mining sites and its abusive use by artisanal miners while this use is prohibited by the Congolese Mining Regulations and on the other hand to show the preponderance of mining activity over agriculture, estimated to be an essential activity in poor countries like the DR Congo. The aim of this manuscript is on the one hand to make the international community see a potential danger due to the exploitation of natural resources and to sensitize local communities as well as stakeholders on this permanent risk against the dangers of mercury and to make recommendations to state authorities, gold miners and international organizations as well as to show the importance of agriculture and how it is put in last position in favor of gold washing.