Company assures PHC not to use mercury in gold mining

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday ordered action against the illegal use of mercury in gold mining operations to address serious environmental concerns raised by the contamination of air, water and agricultural land in Kohat.

The petition, filed as a public interest litigation by former lawmaker Amjad Khan Afridi and local residents, was heard by a division bench of the PHC comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Sabitullah.

Advocate Nauman Muhib Kakakhel represented the petitioners. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented a detailed report confirming the illegal use of mercury in the mining activities.

The report highlighted significant environmental damage, including contamination of the local ecosystem, posing a threat to human health, wildlife, plants and aquatic life. Several First Information Reports (FIRs) had already been filed concerning the illegal mining of gold.