Assessing the Environmental Impact of Local Gold Mining in Anka Communities, Zamfara State, Nigeria
Gold mining activities in the communities of Anka in Zamfara State, Nigeria have sparked concern regarding their impact on the environment. A study carried out by Salati, Bida, and Basharu aimed to evaluate the effects of artisanal gold mining (AGM) on the local environment and communities.
The researchers gathered rock, soil, and water samples from the Abare, Dareta, Gonar Kowar, Shabili, Sunke, and Bagega communities in Anka. These samples underwent laboratory analysis to determine their elemental composition. The results revealed elevated levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in the soil samples, as well as lead in the water samples, surpassing the maximum allowable world standards. This has raised concerns about the environmental and health implications for the communities.
The study found that the deaths of several children were attributed to their exposure to high concentrations of lead dust from the processing of gold ores within households. This indiscriminate AGM activity was found to be responsible for environmental degradation, soil and water pollution, loss of farmlands, lead poisoning, and loss of lives in the communities.
The research has emphasized the inefficiency of mineral production, environmental degradation, and pollution as prominent features of AGM in the area. The use of basic working tools and manual or unscientific gold extraction and processing techniques have contributed to environmental degradation and human casualties. The study recommended sustained government action to prohibit illegal AGM activities and to regulate, monitor, and manage AGM to unleash its full economic potential in a sustainable manner.
The environmental and safety impacts of AGM were also validated through questionnaire administration, oral interviews, visual observation, and physical assessment of the affected communities. The high concentrations of heavy metals and toxic elements in the samples further underscored the environmental and health risks posed by AGM.
In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights into the environmental impact of AGM in Anka communities, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable mining practices and environmental management in the region.
The research conducted by Salati, Bida, and Basharu sheds light on the environmental challenges associated with AGM in Anka communities, calling for immediate action to mitigate the negative impact on the environment and the health of the local population.
