Artisanal Gold Mining in Mongolia: Silica Exposure and Silicosis Risk Factors-Field Survey

Densenbal Dansran; Ichinnorov Dashtseren; Garamjav Khishigdavaa; Solongo Bandi; Byambadolgor Dagviikhorol; Naransukh Damiran; Bayanmunkh Tseden; Bat-Erdene Moyor; Jun-Pyo Myong

doi:10.1016/j.shaw.2025.04.005

Artisanal Gold Mining in Mongolia: Silica Exposure and Silicosis Risk Factors-Field Survey

Saf Health Work. 2025 Jun;16(2):187-192. doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2025.04.005. Epub 2025 Apr 19.

Authors

Densenbal Dansran¹, Ichinnorov Dashtseren¹, Garamjav Khishigdavaa², Solongo Bandi¹, Byambadolgor Dagviikhorol¹, Naransukh Damiran³, Bayanmunkh Tseden⁴, Bat-Erdene Moyor⁴, Jun-Pyo Myong⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pulmonology and Allergology, School of Medicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Science, Mongolia.
² Digital Center of the Diagnostic Radiology, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
³ Occupational Safety and Health Center, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
⁴ Department of Infectious Disease, Bayankhongor General hospital, Mongolia.
⁵ Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Republic of Korea.

Abstract

Background: Silicosis remains a critical occupational health challenge, particularly among artisanal and small-scale gold miners (ASGM). This study investigates the prevalence of silicosis and its associated risk factors, while assessing the levels of respirable dust and crystalline silica exposure in Mongolian artisanal miners.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 124 employees of the Tsagaan Tsakhir artisanal gold miners in Bayankhongor Province, Mongolia. Participants completed questionnaires and underwent medical exams, including spirometry and X-rays. Dust samples (n = 10) were collected during a working day, and the workplace was divided into underground exploration and outdoor grinding areas. Multivariate analysis evaluated risk factors for silicosis.

Results: Underground quarrying (dry) showed the highest exposures (dust geometric mean (GM): 8.107 mg/m³; silica GM: 2.156 mg/m³), followed by grinding (dust GM: 1.374 mg/m³; silica GM: 0.555 mg/m³). Wet quarrying and packaging tasks had significantly lower levels. A total of 124 male participants (mean age 35.9, mean work years 5.7) were included. Twenty four participants (19.4%) had silicosis, with 58% having profusion 2 or higher. Multivariate analysis showed increased odds of silicosis with longer work years (OR = 2.6) and specific work positions (e.g., underground drilling: OR = 6.23).

Conclusion: Artisanal gold miners in Mongolia face significant health risks due to high silica exposure and inadequate protective measures. Urgent interventions, including improved dust control and routine medical surveillance, are needed to mitigate silicosis risks in this vulnerable population.

Keywords: Artisanal mining; Crystalline silica; Mongolia; Occupational health; Silicosis.

© 2025 Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Institute, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency.