Assessments of the effects of artisanal Gold Mining on the environment and living beings in Shango area, Minna,North -Central Nigeria

Abstract

The critical assessments of the effects of artisanal gold mining on the environment and living beings was carried out in Shango area (4km by 4km), Minna, North Central Nigeria, in order to assess challenges associated with artisanal gold mining.During the field observations of the whole mining site were made so as to assess the physical effect of mining on the lands and soils in the study area. Representative soil samples were randomly collected from the surface from mined and un-mined areas within the mining sites. The soil samples were analyzed at the National Geo-science Research Laboratory (NGRL), of Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Kaduna for trace elements using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) method. The average concentration of these elements was compared with the published crustal average concentration of the elements in upper continental crust. Results of field observation reveal that mining activity resulted in physical environmental impact such as land degradation, destruction of vegetation, erosion of soils and degrading water quality. Results from the laboratory analyses show that soils are contaminated with elements such as Cu (27.7ppm), Cd (0.6 ppm), Hg (0.62 ppm) and Ag (0.35 ppm) and generally show high status when compared to published standard for upper continental crust. While, Zn (14.8ppm), Ni (7.17ppm), Mn (207ppm), Pb (0.58ppm), As (0.4ppm), Co (0.55ppm), Mo (0.16ppm), and Zr (129.8ppm) are rated low in line with the published standard; other determined elements such as Cr (37.8ppm), Fe (31.1ppm) and Au (0.2ppm) are high. These elements can easily be absorbed by plants andsubsequently accumulate in their tissues. When such plants are eventually eaten by man, it may lead to different health problems such as slow growth rate, liver and kidney problem. High concentration of these elements in plant tissues may causes different problems such as retarded growth and poor crop yield.