Peshawar High Court Imposes Ban on Mercury Use in Gold Mining in Kohat
The Peshawar High Court has issued a ban on the use of mercury in gold mining operations in Kohat, citing serious environmental and health concerns. The court’s decision followed a petition filed by former MPA Amjad Khan Afridi and others from the region.
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A two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Waqar Ahmed, reviewed the petition. The petitioners’ lawyer, Nauman Mohibullah Kakakhel, informed the court that mercury is being used in the gold extraction process in Kohat, resulting in severe environmental damage. The mercury waste is being released into the Indus River, contaminating water sources and affecting agricultural lands.
The petitioners argued that mercury use poses significant risks to human health, wildlife, and plants, and causes the degradation of farmland. They also pointed out that the practice violates the Environmental Protection Act and called for its immediate prohibition.
The court, after hearing the petitioners’ arguments, imposed an immediate ban on the use of mercury in gold mining activities and issued notices to the Minerals Department. The department has been asked to provide a detailed response at the next hearing.
