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Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is a significant source of income for tens of millions of people worldwide. Consistent condom use is pivotal in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other STIs. This study assessed sexual behaviors and factors associated with consistent condom use among young male artisanal miners in Kassanda District, Uganda. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 304 miners aged 15-24 years. Data -analysis included frequency distributions, chi-squared tests, and binary logistic regression. 89% had sexual intercourse in the past year, 55% had multiple partners, 11% engaged in transactional sex, and only 42% used condoms consistently. Married/cohabiting young men (OR=0.41; CI=0.19-0.87), those with a neutral attitude towards condom use (OR=0.30; CI=0.11-0.85), and those with only their mothers as parents (OR=0.37; CI=0.19-0.73) were less likely to use condoms consistently. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions promoting condom use among married young men and those raised by single mothers to reduce the risk of STI transmission.

L'exploitation minière artisanale et à petite échelle (ASM) constitue une source de revenus importante pour des dizaines de millions de personnes dans le monde. L'utilisation systématique du préservatif est essentielle à la prévention du VIH/SIDA et d'autres IST. Cette étude a évalué les comportements sexuels et les facteurs associés à l'utilisation systématique du préservatif chez les jeunes mineurs artisanaux du district de Kassanda, en Ouganda. Une enquête transversale a été menée auprès de 304 mineurs âgés de 15 à 24 ans. L'analyse des données comprenait des distributions de fréquences, des tests du chi carré et une régression logistique binaire. 89 % ont eu des rapports sexuels au cours de l'année écoulée, 55 % ont eu plusieurs partenaires, 11 % se sont livrés à des relations sexuelles transactionnelles et seulement 42 % ont utilisé des préservatifs de manière constante. Jeunes hommes mariés/cohabitants (OR=0,41 ; IC=0,19-0,87), ceux ayant une attitude neutre à l'égard de l'utilisation du préservatif (OR=0,30 ; IC=0,11-0,85) et ceux dont la mère est seule comme parent (OR=0,37 ; IC=0,19-0,73) étaient moins susceptibles d'utiliser régulièrement des préservatifs. L'étude souligne la nécessité d'interventions ciblées promouvant l'utilisation du préservatif parmi les jeunes hommes mariés et ceux élevés par des mères célibataires afin de réduire le risque de transmission des IST.

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INTRODUCTION: The workplace's health hazard remains a significant concern to workers in the mining industry, where miners are continually exposed to various kinds of exposure sources. METHOD: First, the determinants of miners' health were systematically extracted from 259 publications, comprising chemical, physical, ergonomic, and psychosocial stressors, vulnerability factors, and common health outcomes. Then, 16 meta-analyses were performed to ascertain the epidemiological evidence for associations between four stressors and three health outcomes. The seven top contributing factors affecting miners' health were identified through 166 available prospective studies. Finally, based on the classic and domestic measurement scales, a cross-sectional survey of 559 Chinese miners was conducted to determine the core psychosocial predictors. In addition to the traditional mechanisms, complex interactive networks among the antecedents and consequences and the reversed effects of consequences were also obtained, where 379 strong association rules were yielded via the Apriori algorithm. RESULTS: The results showed that occupational dust, NO2, heavy metals, heat, vibration, awkward posture, and job stress are significant risk factors associated with individuals' health conditions. Psychological capital, coping style, job demand, social support, organizational support, justice, and culture are core psychosocial predictors of miners. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a case for identifying the most significant occupational risk factors related to individuals' health, which could be extended and applied to other industries, as working populations around the world are suffering from various chemical, physical, ergonomic, and psychosocial stressors. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Identifying the significant occupational risk factors affecting workers' health conditions is essential for comprehensive occupational health risk assessment and management. Therefore, this study could be important for health management in mines and other industries.

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This case series sheds light on the pulmonary diseases afflicting artisanal gold miners in Chunya district, Mbeya, Tanzania. We present 3 cases from a group of 21 miners. The patients, ranging in age and mining exposure, exhibited symptoms of severe pulmonary conditions, including pneumoconiosis, pulmonary hypertension and Cor pulmonale, attributed to prolonged exposure to dust and inadequate protective measures in mining environments. These cases underscore the urgent need for enhanced occupational health standards and preventive strategies in artisanal mining communities.

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Gold miners working illegally in mines live in poor health conditions related to their strenuous work and precarious housing. Therefore, they are at higher risk for infectious diseases. American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) appears to be of great concern to the population living in the Guiana Shield region. Our aim was to describe their demographic characteristics, the clinical features of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), and the frequency of Leishmania infection in people working in illegal gold mines in French Guiana. A cross-sectional study was carried out from October to December 2019 in Oiapoque city, Amapá, Brazil. Indeed, many gold miners working in French Guiana are originally from Brazil, and from Oiapoque in particular. A total of 105 participants from 31 different mining sites in French Guiana were recruited. Suspected Leishmania infection was confirmed by the following: detection of kDNA in blood or the lesion site; detection of specific antibodies; or detection of IFN-γ release after blood incubation with leishmanial antigens (IGRA-Leish). Nine active CL cases, 38 healed ATL (hATL) and 58 cases with no history of ATL (noATL), were identified. Only half of the treated hATL (50.0%; n = 14) reported having been assisted by a health care unit and the others treated themselves. PCR-kDNA for Leishmania was positive in the blood of 100% of CL cases. Curiously, blood PCR-kDNA was positive in 13% of hATL patients and in 15.5% of noATL patients. The IGRA-Leish was positive in 60.5% of hATL and in 37.9% of noATL. In addition to scars suggestive of CL, 71% of hATL had laboratory evidence of Leishmania infection. Restriction fragment polymorphism (RFLP) of the hsp70 gene identified a sympatric circulation of L. (V.) guyanensis (n = 4), L. (V.) braziliensis (n = 1), L. (L.) amazonensis (n = 2), L. (V.) shawi (n = 1) and L. (V.) naiffi/shawi (n = 1). Taking the laboratory techniques and the clinical evaluations together, 76% (n = 80) of the 105 participants had evidence of Leishmania infection. These results suggests that illegal gold miners working in French Guiana are at high risk for infection with different species of Leishmania, but their illegal condition and remoteness make it difficult for them to access health services.

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As the depth of coal mining increases, the temperature and humidity of the underground environment also rise, which can negatively impact the physiological health of miners, and may even pose a threat to their safety and lives. However, studies on the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the relationship between temperature, humidity, and miners' alertness are scant. This study investigates several research objectives: (A) the differences in reaction time and error rate in different temperature and humidity conditions, which factor has a greater impact; (B) the differences in the levels of Oxy-Hb in different conditions and which factor has a greater impact; (C) the differences of activation degree between different regions of interest; and (D) the differences in the shape of Oxy-Hb time course between different conditions between different regions of interests. The fNIRS was used to measure the activity in 100 participants' prefrontal cortex in this study. The results showed that both temperature and humidity would lead to decreased alertness of miners, which would not only prolong the reaction time, increase the error rate, and increase the Oxy-Hb concentration, but also lead to increased activation of the prefrontal cortex and greater activation of the right side than that of the left side, the Oxy-Hb time course was different on both sides, and temperature has a greater effect on alertness than humidity.

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In order to clarify the transmission mechanism of the impact of mechanization on the occupational health of miners and to provide empirical evidence for the development of new quality productivity in the coal industry that balances health and efficiency. In August 2022, we selected a typical coal mine, constructed a comprehensive evaluation index of miners' occupational health through a questionnaire survey based on the fully connected neural network model. A Bayesian model was used to verify the influence of mechanization level on miners' occupational health. We found that: the predicted probability of occupational diseases could be used as a comprehensive indicator of the level of occupational health, providing a basis for early intervention and prevention of occupational diseases. Mechanization could directly promote the improvement of miners' occupational health level, and also indirectly affect occupational health level by influencing hazards level and work intensity. The indirect effect of mechanization on work intensity was positive, and the indirect effect of mechanization on hazards level was positive. Presented the "inverted U-shaped" process in the mechanization breakthrough semi-mechanized level would realize the economies of scale of health protection, its impact on the prevention and control of occupational hazards would turn from negative to positive.

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BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization recommends systematic chest X-ray (CXR) screening for tuberculosis (TB) in silica-exposed workers. However, evidence on the accuracy of CXR screening in such populations is lacking. AIMS: To measure the accuracy of CXR screening for active TB in silica-exposed miners, in a population with a high prevalence of silicosis, post-TB lung disease and HIV. METHODS: A secondary analysis of data from a miner screening programme in Lesotho was undertaken. We measured the performance of CXR (in participants with and without cough) for 'abnormalities suggestive of TB' against Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert). The sample size was 2572 and positive Xpert prevalence was 3%. RESULTS: CXR alone had high sensitivity (0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87-0.99), but low specificity (0.41, 95% CI 0.39-0.42). Requiring cough and a positive CXR increased specificity (0.79, 95% CI 0.77-0.81), resulting in reduced sensitivity (0.41, 95% CI 0.30-0.52). There was no difference in CXR accuracy by HIV status. However, specificity was markedly reduced in the presence of silicosis (from 0.70, 95% CI 0.68-0.72, to 0.03, 95% CI 0.02-0.04) or past TB history (from 0.59, 95% CI 0.56-0.62 to 0.27, 95% CI 0.25-0.29). Throughout, positive predictive value remained very low (5%) and negative predictive value very high (99%). CONCLUSIONS: CXR screening accurately identifies TB-negative CXRs in this population, but post-TB lung disease and silicosis would result in a high proportion of Xpert-negative referrals and an increased risk of unneeded empirical treatment. Adapted screening algorithms, practitioner training and digital access to previous mining CXRs are needed.

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Rising gold prices have led artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) operations to proliferate in sub-Saharan Africa, extending into agricultural areas. Little is known about the interactions between agriculture and mining in these new frontiers. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of ASGM on natural and physical livelihood capitals, ASGM's interactions with agriculture at household, community and institutional levels and the drivers underpinning those interactions, and the policy implications for the co-existence of sustainable agriculture and ASGM. Alongside literature review, field-work took place in Atiwa West District and Koforidua, Ghana using environmental field surveys, questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews. Questionnaire and field survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics, with thematic analysis of interviews and focus group data. Findings revealed that most miners were unregulated, mined irresponsibly and degraded land, waterways, and farm roads. Over one-third of farmers (38%) suffered land degradation, and 79% of affected farmers' lands were not reclaimed. Farmers diversified into ASGM, and mining proceeds boosted farming. Young farmers (18-40 years) shifted into ASGM full-time because it is more lucrative. Yet, ASGM is not replacing agriculture: cocoa farming remains a vital economic activity. Informal ASGM generates short-term income at household level for some but imposes long-term costs at community level, linked to cumulative loss of agricultural land and degradation of forest areas and water bodies, creating tensions, and increasing vulnerability. Financial hardships faced by farmers, landowners' desire to benefit directly from gold and lack of law enforcement drive informal ASGM. There are no institutional linkages between the agricultural and mining sectors. More joined up governance across agriculture and mining is needed and between formal and informal (traditional) institutions. ASGM should be incorporated into broader rural development policy reforms that support farmers, incentivise miners to operate legally and responsibly and ensure effective stakeholder engagement.

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The commercial mining of fluorspar in St. Lawrence Newfoundland began in 1933. Miners who worked underground were exposed to high levels of radon progeny, especially before ventilation was introduced into the mines in 1960. The mean cumulative radon exposure for underground miners in this cohort was 380.9 working level months (WLM). A series of studies of this cohort have characterized the increased risks of lung cancer mortality due to radon. We have extended the follow-up of this cohort an additional 15 years to provide additional insights on the risks of low levels of radon exposure, and the modifying effects of time since exposure, age at first exposure, attained age, duration of exposure, and cigarette smoking. The cohort consisted of 1,735 underground and 315 male surface miners who, combined, accrued 81,650 person-years of follow-up. The mortality experience of the cohort was determined from 1950-2016 through record linkage to Canadian national death data. Individual-level estimates of exposure to radon progeny, in WLMs, were determined for each year of employment. We compared the mortality experience of the underground miners to Newfoundland men using the standardized mortality ratio (SMR). Poisson regression models were fit to estimate excess relative risks (ERR) per 100 WLM. There were 236 lung cancer deaths identified, and of these, 221 occurred among underground workers. The SMR for lung cancer among underground miners compared to Newfoundland men was 2.67 (95% CI: 2.33, 3.04). The ERR per 100 WLM for lung cancer mortality, assuming a 5-year exposure lag, was 0.41 (95% CI: 0.23, 0.59). Attained age and time since exposure were important modifiers to the radon-lung cancer relationship. The joint relationship between smoking and radon on lung cancer risk was sub-additive, however, the smoking data were limited and available for only half of the cohort.

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Miners working underground face some risk factors that affect the nervous system-such as high noise, dark environment, chronic stress, and exposure to toxic gases. However, it is not known whether these risk factors affect the cognition of miners. In this study, the cognitive changes of miners were examined through event-related oscillations via electroencephalogram (EEG). Twenty underground miners and control groups, equal to each other in age, education level, and working duration, participated in this study. Neuropsychological tests were applied to all participants to examine their cognitive characteristics. Then, 20-channel EEG was recorded for electrophysiological changes during visual oddball paradigm. Event-related power spectrum and phase locking were analyzed in delta (0.5-3.5), theta (4-7), and alpha (8-13 Hz) frequency bands. It was determined that the delta responses that emerged during the target stimulus differed between the two groups in terms of phase locking (p < 0.05). Considering event-related alpha responses, a statistical difference was found regarding power spectrum and phase locking (p < 0.05). Moreover, the alpha power spectrum in the miners was found to be negatively statistically correlated with working duration (p < 0.05). This study determined that the event-related electrophysiological responses of the miners were negatively affected depending on the working conditions. In addition, neuropsychological assessment determined miners had deficiencies in learning and memory skills and many other cognitive functions such as attention, behavioral inhibition, and visual perception.

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BACKGROUND: In the context of smart mine construction, coal mine safety management is imposing stringent requirements on the safety competence of miners. To meet these demands, coal mine enterprises have initiated proactive measures to recruit a new generation of knowledge-based miners who possess high qualifications and specialized backgrounds. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the underlying mechanisms of identity conflict (IC) and its influence on unsafe behavior (USB) among KBMs within the context of China's smart mining initiatives, as well as to identify the role of potential mediating and moderating variables in this relationship. METHODS: An empirical study was conducted on a sample of 304 KBMs with a college degree or above, selected from multiple coal mines in Shanxi Province, China. Hierarchical regression analysis and the Bootstrap method were employed for data analysis. This model incorporated IC as the antecedent variable and meticulously investigated the mediating effects of role breadth self-efficacy (RBSE) and psychosocial resources (PSR), along with the moderating effect of positive explanatory bias (PEB). RESULTS: The findings indicate a significant positive correlation between IC and USB among KBMs. RBSE and PSR were found to mediate the relationship between IC and USB. Moreover, this mediating effect further influenced the relationship between IC and USB through a chain mediating effect. Additionally, PEB strengthened the positive impact of KBMs' RBSE on PSR. CONCLUSION: These results provide a broader perspective on the antecedent variables associated with KBMs' USB and provide valuable insights and practical management strategies enhancing the safety management practices within coal mining enterprise.

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Since little is known about the comparison of the biotoxic effects of heavy metals exposure on biochemical and hematological parameters in miners and non-miners, the current study aimed to compare the effects of arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) in both groups. Demographic information and blood samples were collected from all participants and measures of As, Pb and Cu were obtained using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. As and Pb mean concentrations in miners and Cu concentration were greater in non-miners. Miners also showed significantly higher level of RBC, HBG and HCT. In the adjusted model, cholesterol showed a positively association with Pb and Cu levels. Triglycerides, GGT, ALP, WBC and PLT positively and HDL-cholesterol negatively were associated with Cu. Creatinine was negatively associated with group variable. In conclusion, miners' high blood heavy metals concentrations can impact biochemical and hematological indices. These observations make monitoring of heavy metals necessary in miners.

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Little is known about the burden of silicosis in Africa, despite extensive mining and construction operations in the region putting numerous people at risk. The implementation experience and costs of case-finding for occupational lung disease in resource-limited settings are also currently unknown. We describe the first-ever silicosis case-finding project in rural Rwanda using chest X-ray, symptom questionnaires, and spirometry. This was coupled with routine noncommunicable disease case-finding for diabetes and hypertension. We performed an ingredient-based analysis of the costs of all case-finding activities. In 2022, over 25 days, 1,032 mine workers were included in the program, of which 1,014 (98.3%) completed silicosis case-finding activities. The total cost of the program was estimated to be US$38,656, representing a cost of US$37.49 per person. We conclude that conducting large-scale occupational lung disease case-finding is clinically and economically feasible in resource-limited settings and can be effectively integrated with routine noncommunicable disease case-finding.

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In part one, we reported on some of the shocking working conditions that the Electronics Watch team found on our visit to cobalt mines in the DRC. Now, we look at the vested interests in Congolese politics, the mining industry, the Congolese government's desire to regulate the cobalt supply chain, and what else might be done to improve conditions.

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BACKGROUND: High-frequency hearing loss (HFHL) stands as a prevalent occupational morbidity globally, with numerous associated risk factors, some of which are modifiable. In the context of a comprehensive hearing conservation program, the initial steps involve early screening and identification of workers with these modifiable risk factors, aiming to reduce the prevalence of hearing loss. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of HFHL and determine its predictors among mine workers. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 226 mine workers in ten open-cast mines in Gujarat state, the western part of India, in November 2020. We collected data on socio-demography, addiction, occupation history and comorbidities, along with anthropometric, blood pressure, and blood sugar measurements. Audiometric evaluations using a portable diagnostic audiometer were employed to assess HFHL, defined as a hearing threshold exceeding 25 decibels (dB) at high frequencies (3000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz). A generalized linear model (GLM) with a binomial family was performed to determine the predictors significantly predicting HFHL after adjusting for confounding variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of HFHL was 35% (95% CI: 29-42%) in our study setting. Office workers demonstrated a prevalence of 19%, whereas other job categories displayed a higher prevalence of 42%, resulting in a significant prevalence difference of 23% and a prevalence ratio of 2.2. The GLM analysis revealed that variables, such as noise exposure during work [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 2.3 (95% CI: 1.2-4.7, p = 0.018)] and noise exposure duration [aPR 1.1 (95% CI: 1.0-1.1, p = 0.042)], were significant predictors of HFHL. CONCLUSIONS: In our study setting, mine workers exhibited a high prevalence of HFHL, with exposure to workplace noise and duration being modifiable predictors. Because HFHL advances slowly and is generally undetected by the individual, we recommend periodic testing using audiometry to identify it among mine workers and, if possible, shifting them from mining activities to office. Furthermore, we advocate for the implementation of a comprehensive hearing conservation program to the extent possible.

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The present study aims to explore the mechanism for the impact of job embeddedness on safety performance, the mediating role of perceived insider status and the cross-level moderating role of safety climate among miners. The questionnaire data used for analysis in this study were collected from 310 miners in 38 coal mine production teams in China. Bootstrap analysis was performed to explore the mediating role of perceived insider status, and multilevel linear analysis was performed to explore the cross-level moderating role of safety climate. The results showed that job embeddedness was positively related to miners' safety performance; perceived insider status mediating the relationship between job embeddedness and miners' safety performance; and safety climate moderating the relationship between perceived insider status and miners' safety performance across levels.

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Objetivo: Evaluar la exposición a sílice de mineros chilenos en altitud usando diferentes metodologías, con el propósito de determinar el método más seguro para controlar la ex-posición. Métodos: Los 46 mineros que conforman la muestra trabajan a 3000 metros sobre el nivel del mar con sistema de turnos no convencionales, en jornadas de 12 horas diarias por 4 días consecutivos, después de los cuales se descansa por otros 4 días. Se tomaron mues-tras de sílice en cada uno de los puestos de trabajo de estos 46 mineros en altitud. Los re-sultados de las concentraciones se presentan en (mg/m3). La exposición se evaluó usando el Threshold Limit Value y otras dos metodologías que incorporan parámetros respiratorios. Se determinó el grupo de mineros en riesgo con cada uno de estos métodos y se comparó la proporción de mineros expuestos en cada caso.Resultados: evaluando con el Threshold Limit Value (método 1) se obtuvo un 43,48% de mi-neros en riesgo. Con los métodos que incluyen parámetros respiratorios se obtuvo una pro-porción de mineros sobre-expuestos del 82,61% con el método 2, y 73,91% con el método 3.Conclusiones: de los tres métodos analizados, el que considera el parámetro respiratorio volumen minuto, a través de la estimación de la dosis inhalada, es el más seguro para defi-nir el grupo de mineros en riesgo por exposición a sílice a gran altura (AU)

Objective: To evaluate silica exposure among Chilean miners at high altitude, using dif-ferent methodological approaches, for the purpose of determining the safest method to control exposures. Methods: The 46 miners in the sample worked at 3000 meters above sea level in nonstan-dard work shifts, consisting of four consecutive 12-hour days, followed by four consecutive days off. Silica samples were obtained in each of the jobs positions of these 46 high-altitude miners. The results of the concentrations are presented in mg/m3. Exposures were evalu-ated in compatison to the Threshold Limit Value (Method 1) and using two other methodol-ogies that incorporate respiratory parameters (Methods 2 and 3). The proportion of miners at risk was determined with each of these methods and compared.Results: Based on the Threshold Limit Value (Method 1), 43.48% of miners were classified as being at risk. With the other two methods that incorporate respiratory parameters, the proportion of overexposed miners was 82.61% with Method 2, and 73.91% with Method 3.Conclusions: Of the three methods analyzed, the one that considers the respiratory param-eter minute volume, through the estimation of the inhaled dose, is the safest to define the group of miners at risk due to exposure to silica at high altitude (AU)

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BACKGROUND: We investigated mortality in workers of the world's largest chrysotile mine and enrichment factories located in the town of Asbest, Russian Federation. METHODS: This historical cohort study included all workers employed for at least 1 year between 1975 and 2010 and follow-up until the end of 2015. Cumulative exposure to dust was estimated based on workers' complete occupational history linked to dust measurements systematically collected from the 1950s. Exposure to chrysotile fibers was estimated using dust-to-fiber conversion factors. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated as mortality rate ratios in Poisson regression models. RESULTS: A total of 30 445 (32% women) workers accumulated 721 312 person-years at risk and 11 110 (36%) died. Of the workers, 54% had more than 30 years since their first exposure. We found an exposure-response between cumulative dust and lung cancer mortality in men. No clear association with dust exposure but a modest increase in the highest category of fiber exposure was seen for lung cancer in women. Mesothelioma mortality was increased (RR = 7.64, 95% CI = 1.18 to 49.5, to at least 80 fibers per cm3 years and RR = 4.56, 95% CI = 0.94 to 22.1, to at least 150 mg/m3 years [dust]), based on 13 deaths. For colorectal and stomach cancer, there were inconsistent associations. No associations were seen for laryngeal or ovarian cancer. CONCLUSION: In this large-scale epidemiological study in the world's largest active asbestos mine, we confirmed an increased risk of mesothelioma with high fiber exposure and an increasing mortality for lung cancer in men with increasing dust exposure. Less clear-cut increased lung cancer mortality was seen in the women. Continued mortality follow-up is warranted.

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Mine industry workers (n=515) from various locations in Australia completed a questionnaire to assess the prevalence of symptoms associated with heat-related illness and water consumption habits during a summer season. Participants read from a pre-defined list and noted any heat-related symptoms that they had experienced. The most prevalent symptoms experienced were fatigue, headache, sweating, and dark coloured urine, with 77% of respondents reporting at least one symptom. Workers with shorter employment durations had higher rates of reporting multiple symptoms (rates ratios: 1.40-1.72). The most prevalent water consumption amounts over an 11-12 h shift were 2-4 L by 37.3% of total respondents, followed by 1-2 L by 36.5% of respondents. Employers should inform workers about the severe implications of heat-related illnesses, implement regular water breaks, and educate personnel about the importance of water intake. Providing employees with self-check methods of hydration status is recommended to increase awareness of their hydration status.

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