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Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, is scheduled to head a delegation to Colombia next week to advocate for a transition period for Guyana to cease the use of mercury in the mining industry.The move is intended as a prelude to regional consultations for the Latin America and the Caribbean region in preparation for the fifth session of the inter-governmental negotiating committee on mercury,The Guyana government is moving to phase out the use of mercury in gold miningPersaud said Friday.Government intends to vigorously represent miners at the meeting next week in Bogota, towards the aim of the voluntary phasing out of mercury, which is widely used within the mining and manufacturing sectors in Guyana.The Minister, during a press conference Friday, pointed out that the socio-economic implications of a ban in the production and supply of mercury against its use in mining will be highlighted as approximately 100,000 persons directly or indirectly depend on the mining sector to earn a livelihood.The Minister also highlighted Government’s recognition of the environmental and human health risks of mercury and pollution to the environment.Government also plans to continue the focus on technical and financial resources in the gold mining sector in order to address the issues surrounding mercury use.Work is continuing with all stakeholders to ensure the phased out implementation programme for the use of mercury.Minister Persaud will be accompanied to Colombia by Commissioner (ag) of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Rickford Vieira, and an Executive Member of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association.Because of international pressure, Government is moving in the direction of doing away with mercury because it is toxic to both human and the environment. There has been rejection of the move by especially small miners as gold prices continue to reach record levels. Mercury is the easiest way to extract gold.The mercury ravages the nervous system of miners and their families. It also travels thousands of miles in the atmosphere and moves up the food chain through fish.The number of persons killed or disabled by mercury is impossible to determine, experts say. But tests on miners in Guyana, Indonesia, the Philippines,Wholesale China Jerseys, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Brazil found mercury levels up to 50 times above World Health Organization limits, according to a 2006 U.N. report.Symptoms such as reduced motor skills, fatigue and weight loss are routine at mining sites, the U.N. said. Gold shop owners also breathe the mercury vapor they burn off.