ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF ARTISANAL GOLD MINING IN GIDAN MAI WAYO COMMUNITY, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

There are many challenges facing rural areas in Nigeria which serves as obstacles to the livelihood and wellbeing of the rural dwellers. One of the common challenges is informal Gold mining. Gidan Mai Wayo rural settlement experiences environmental degradation due to the activities of Artisanal Gold miners. The community depends on surface and ground water located around the Gold mining sites, which may have negative effect on their health. Consequently, this study assesses the impact of Gold Mining on Gidan Mai Wayo community and its environs. This study adopted quantitative and qualitative approach in data collection and analysis. Boreholes and wells where the residents access their domestic water from were sampled. A set of questionnaire was administered to the residents on their perception of Gold Mining. Another set of questionnaire was administered to the Miners to assess the techniques used by the Artisanal Gold Miners. Mapping, satellite image classification, checklist, and Chi Square Test were employed to assess the physical and social effect of Gold Mining on the environment. Findings from the research shows that pH (Acid or Alkaline) concentration were higher in wells and boreholes close to the Mining sites, compared to those that are not close the Mining sites. The research also shows that some crimes such as Burglary, Drug Abuse, Banditry, prostitution increased in the study area after the emergence of Artisanal Gold Miners. The research concludes that the activities of Artisanal Gold miners in Gidan Mai Wayo community has negatively affected the environment in many ways, for example loss of vegetation, Decrease in water quality. The study therefore recommends that other sources of Rural Livelihood such as; Farming, Fishing, Hunting should be encouraged in the community, so as to discourage the inhabitants from engaging in illegal mining.