Gold miners in the country have expressed concern on the improper disposal of mercury within the industry. Mercury is used in all gold mines in the country to sieve or attract 'gold dusts' from soil. However, some miners have expressed concern that after its use, mercury is improperly disposed of, which sometimes ends up in water streams and rivers. Water contaminated with mercury could affect the environment. Soil suspected to have gold is placed in a basin of water and mixed with one bottle of mercury. Mercury attracts all the gold particles in the soil. During a recent conference to discuss the proposed amendment to the mining policy and act at Protea hotel organized by Eco Christian Organization and Action Aid Uganda, miners asked government to check the improper disposal of mercury to save the environment. "In Buhweju, the gold deposits are located in water catchment areas and wetlands. Mercury is often improperly disposed of into wetlands. Many of our valleys have been washed down with mercury, which contaminates our water. It is a big challenge that needs to be addressed immediately," one of the miners told participants. Emmanuel Kibirige, one of the gold miners in Mubende and the secretary general of Mubende Gold Miners Association, concurred that government needed to regulate the use of mercury in gold mining. "Mercury normally ends up in streams and rivers. We need to regulate how it should be managed," he said. A 2012 report authored by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) titled, Analysis of formalization approaches in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector experiences: A case study of Uganda, cautioned the constant use of mercury in Uganda's mining sector. The report noted gold mines in Mubende district, Buhweju goldfield in Mashonga, Buhweju district, Tira in Busia and Rupa in Moroto district Karamoja sub- region, which used mercury to harvest gold.