Socio – economic and environmental impact of artisanal mining in parts of Naraguta sheet 168, north central Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the socio – economic and environmental impact of artisanal mining in parts of Naraguta Sheet 168. Geochemical data, environmental analysis from previous studies and on the spot interviews and interactions were employed to obtain the data for this study. Results revealed over 5000 abandoned pits with varying depths ranging from12 to 15 meters. Analysis of soils and water samples collected from the mining pits, some hand dug wells and boreholes in the area, indicate low levels of most trace and rare earth elements in the waters. However, individual elements concentration showed that farm soils generally have high levels of Pb and Th and in some places Cd. The calculated Index of geo-accumulation classified the soils as uncontaminated to moderately contaminated. With over 5000 pits already dug in the area, the arable lands have been devastated, with diversion in flow directions of most streams. Trees and shrubs have been uprooted rendering the land susceptible to erosion. Opened mined pits serve as death traps to animals and breeding grounds for mosquitoes, making the area prone to malaria disease. About N450, 000 (3000 Dollars) at the end of every week is obtained from sales of the ore, shared amongst 8 – 10 team members. However, the social vices associated with it, such as child labour, school drop-out, the use of drugs, deaths due to flooding and collapse of lotto pits, theft, inflation, and prostitution, sexually transmitted diseases is prevalent. The study suggest interventions such as; reclaiming open pits, dredging of streams, rivers and remediation of contaminated soils and health awareness campaign to ameliorate the negative impacts of artisanal mining on the communities.

Key Words: Artisanal Mining, Trace Elements, Land Degradation, Tin Mining