Substances found in watersheds and sediments in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) areas contaminated by heavy metals are becoming tremendously critical issues in Asia. This study aimed at clarifying the pollution caused by heavy metals in sediments in river basins near ASGM sites in Gorontalo Province, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sediment samples collected from experimental areas were classified into nine clay samples and twenty-seven sand samples, whereas three other samples were collected from the control area. Particle-induced X-ray emission was used to analyze these samples. The Statistical Package for the Social Science and the geo-accumulation index (I_geo) were also used for analysis. Based on the results, Hg, Pb, As, and Zn had a concentration of 0–334 µg/g, 5.5–1930 µg/g, 0–18,900 µg/g, and 0–4923.2 µg/g, respectively, which exceeded limits recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency consensus (1991) and the Indonesian Government Regulation Number 38, 2011. Furthermore, I_geo showed the order of the pollution degree Hg < Zn < Pb < As and reflected an environment contaminated by heavy metals, ranging from unpolluted to extremely polluted areas. Therefore, sediments contaminated by Hg, Pb, As, and Zn could be found along the river basin of mining areas.

The evaluation of mercury impact on humans is currently nonspecific because the body characteristics (homeostasis) of each human being varies. Therefore, in the early diagnosis of mercury toxicity, one of the most important monitoring parameters is the respiratory function examination. In this study, respiratory function was examined with a portable spirometer and correlated with the mercury levels in hair from the noses and heads of subjects. Samples were taken from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) areas (villages of East Tulabolo and Dunggilata) and control areas (villages of Bongo and Longalo) in Gorontalo Province, Indonesia. A statistical analysis with the Mann–Whitney test (alternative) showed significant differences in lung function between the polluted and control areas (α = 0.03). The analysis of nasal and head hair samples with particle-induced X-ray emissions (PIXE) showed that the mercury levels in the ASGM area were considerably higher than in the more homogeneous control areas. This study confirms that a pulmonary function test is a quick and precise alternative way to monitor the impact of mercury on humans, especially atmospheric mercury, because we detected a negative correlation between pulmonary function and the level of mercury in hair.

Gorontalo is reputed to be one of the best-quality gold producers in the Indonesian archipelago. Gold production has been largely achieved through the activities of artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM), which as part of its extraction process, primarily uses mercury—a substance known to cause negative impacts on health and the environment, leading also to numerous socio-economic issues. This research aims (1) to investigate the extent of rural knowledge regarding mercury and to determine whether a video that explains mercury and the problems that occur as a result of ASGM can significantly transform rural populations’ knowledge; (2) to inspect different factors separating the SR group (those who live in the same regency as the ASGM area) from the NR group (those who live in the neighboring regency/city of the ASGM area) and to find out whether said factors are statistically significant. The results show that the test subjects’ knowledge of mercury had increased after watching the video, and that their willingness to oppose ASGM activities is one of the significant factors within the two groups. Moreover, this paper briefly describes the follow-up activities of the SRIREP project (Co-creation of Sustainable Regional Innovation for Reducing Risk of High-impact Environmental Pollution) in encouraging rural communities to explore sustainable livelihoods as an alternative to ASGM.

(1) Background: Geomedical science focuses on the relationship between environmental impact and human health. The abundance of elements in a geographic area is reflected accumulation of these elements in humans. This study aims to describe the relationship between concentrations of geologic elements and accumulations in the human body as well as element-related symptoms. (2) Methods: Geogenic sampling was conducted in an Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) area and around residential areas in Indonesia, and samples were analyzed using particle-induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). Head hair was sampled, and health assessments were performed to determine heavy metal exposure, especially to copper and mercury. (3) Results: Results show that potentially toxic elements’ accumulation in the human body follows the abundance of these elements in the geographic area, which then affect health and manifest with specific signs and symptoms. East Tulabolo is an area rich in copper (hazard quotient (HQ) in dust = 152.8), and most of the population shows the sign of Kayser–Fleischer rings. Likewise, the Dunggilata area has the highest concentration of mercury, especially in the dust (HQ = 11.1), related to ASGM activity in residential areas. (4) Conclusions: This study concludes that the geogenic concentration of elements parallels the accumulation of human tissue and manifests with element-related signs and symptoms.

The objective of this research is to investigate the livelihoods of villagers of rural Gorontalo, where limited job opportunities and poor infrastructure impede improvements in rural settlements. The research focused on rural regions where small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activities are prevalent in the economy. Given the associated complexities of the livelihoods of the villagers, the paper pays particular attention to household income and its sources and then examines associations with key socioeconomic variables, focusing especially on the contribution of educational development. The questionnaire survey was conducted among households in five villages of rural Gorontalo in August 2017, and 310 effective samples were collected. The results indicate that more affluent households receive a higher proportion of income from formal public sectors, such as government institutions. The source of income from mining accounts for approximately 20%, which is almost constant across the income quartiles. Fractional logit models were employed to examine the dependency of household income on mining. The estimation results indicate that educated households depend less on mining income than do uneducated households. Households with young household heads receive less income from mining than do those with old household heads. The paper implies that low educational attainments are related to a higher dependency on mining, probably due to limited job opportunities in the formal sector. Therefore, improvements in educational attainment are associated with a reduced dependency on the mining sector. The results yield key information for formulating policies for remote villages where a substantial improvement in rural livelihoods is pivotal to reduce dependency in the context of poor ASGM regions.

Effects of mercury from ASGM in humans have been reported in various studies. The effect depends on the dose, the form of mercury, and a way of entering the body. The human body with all its perfection has a remarkable system of defense against external negative effects including toxic effects of mercury. One of the leading defense systems of the human body is the respiratory system, because it is an organ connected directly to the outside environment. Early detection is very necessary to prevent the incidence of more severe, then the initial lung examination is needed and important. For that, there needs to be an examination of the lungs that can be used to find early lung disorders, namely the spirometry test. During this time in each study was only performed blood tests, urine and hair to assess the levels of mercury, but the disease-based examination is limited to only a neuropsychological examination. Spirometry is useful and basic in the diagnosis of lung diseases. In addition to assessing respiratory function primarily assessing breathing pattern, such as pulmonary fibrosis or asthma, it is also very helpful in health surveillance. In the preliminary survey, 4 samples were taken consisting of 2 miner samples and 2 samples non-miners (control). These 4 sample have the same age range, with the same smoking status. The spirometry test result shows that all miner had lung disorders and control samples had normal results. The conclusions from this survey are: (1) Mercury pollution must be a serious attention for all of us; (2) all miners tend to be exposed to evaporated mercury; (3) Spirometry tests can be one of the health examinations for early detection of lung disease.