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Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a chronic health disease that is growing globally. It has been associated with modifiable risk factors such as environmental exposure to lead. One of the main causes of environmental contamination with lead is from the gold mining industry and mine tailings. The aim of this study was to determine if long-term exposure (bone lead) to environmental lead is associated with decrements in cognitive ability in older individuals residing near mine tailing dumps or gold mining activities. Methods: A random sample of 139 participants aged 60 to 75 years was selected from state owned old age/retirement homes. Participants were interviewed with a structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographic status, occupational and medical history. Cumulative lead exposure will be measured in the tibia using a KXRF bone lead measurement. The early dementia questionnaire (EDQ) and the CANTAB battery of cognitive assessments was performed on touch screen monitors to assess for MCI. Results: The mean age of participants was 69.9 years’ age. Males consisted of 54% of the sample with 48% having secondary education. Only 9% of the participants had a previous job in a mining or lead manufacturing sector and the majority resided in gold mining areas. The median bone lead measurement was 7.85. The EDQ results showed that 52% had screen positive for mild cognitive decline. Preliminary bivariate linear regression results showed a significant association between bone lead levels and a positive EDQ score for MCI. The CANTAB results for MCI and the multivariate analyses assessing factors associated with MCI is currently being conducted. Conclusion: Cumulative environmental lead exposure may lead to MCI which has serious consequences for quality of life of the individual and places an additional burden on the health care and social system of the country.