Environmental and socio-economic effects of mining activities in selected agro-mining communities in Nigeria

Abstract

The environmental and socio-economic effects of mining activities on agricultural practices in selected mining locations in Ondo, Oyo and Plateau States had been carried out. Soil samples from selected agro-mining sites were collected at a distance of 10m apart and an approximate depth of 30cm. NH3, Organic and Moisture Content were analyzed in the laboratory using Kjeldahl, Black Wet Oxidation and Oven Dry methods respectively. pH was analyzed using pH meter. Calcium, Sodium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Lead and Nickel were analyzed in the laboratory using Buck Scientific Model 200 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) in accordance with American Standard for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Water Samples from ponds and streams within mining sites were taken using sampling bottles at about 30cm depth below the water surface downstream and 2km upstream at 30cm depth below the water surface to act as control. Physical parameters such as pH, Conductivity, Total Suspended Solid, Colour, Turbidity were analyzed and chemical parameters such as, Sulphate, Nitrate, Alkalinity, Chloride, Hardness, Phosphate, and Calcium Samples were also analyzed. The chemical analyses results of soil and water samples showed that some mining locations contained high and low level of heavy metals when compared with Food and Agricultural FAO and World Health Organization WHO standards. The soil samples show high level of depletion of important plant nutrients, such as iron content, Organic content and Soil pH were depleted in the studied locations. Water quality parameter such as Nitrate, pH, Electrical Conductivity, Alkalinity, Chloride, and Phosphate were unconformable with WHO standards. The result of Socio economic analyzes based on well structured questionnaire issued to the host communities show that consequences of mining activities were not limited to distortion of soil landscape but also include extinction of some animals, poor agricultural productivity, health problems, lack of education, communal conflicts and structural damages.