An assessment of the impact of illegal artisanal gold mining on the environment in parts of Chewore Safari Area, Northern Zimbabwe

Chakuya, Jeremiah; Munkuli, Norman; Mutema, Courage; Gandiwa, Edson

doi:10.1088/2515-7620/ace23b

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 31 publications

(57 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Despite environmental regulations, gold mining generates well-studied environmental impacts (Betancur-Corredor et al, 2018;Kadivar et al, 2023;Obodai et al, 2024). These impacts on the environment are more pronounced in regionsprimarily in poor nations-where illicit mining has been on the rise (Chakuya et al, 2023). Mine tailings are the hazardous wastes produced during the extraction of gold ore.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental zoning based on the distribution of potentially toxic elements, risk contamination indices, and bioindicators in three areas affected by gold mining in Antioquia, Colombia

López,

Marín,

Saldarriaga

2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Gold mining stands out as a primary industrial operation significantly affecting the environment, underscoring the urgency of developing strategies to enhance environmental stewardship in the impacted areas. In areas directly or indirectly affected by emissions of hazardous substances like As, Cd, Pb, and Cr, these strategies are crucial for informed decision-making. Zoning the spatial distribution of these elements and using indices and pollution bioindicators can create a diagnostic and remedial tool to address pollution concerns effectively. The aim of this study is to apply environmental zoning in three gold-mining-affected municipalities in Antioquia, Colombia. The zoning considers various factors, including i) levels of potentially toxic elements, ii) contamination indices, and iii) bioindicators. Geospatial analysis was employed to create maps illustrating the distribution of potential toxic elements, along with the indices and bioindicators utilized. The results show that the concentrations of potentially toxic elements were the lowest, even below the reference values for non-contaminated soils, in the municipality of Yalí. In contrast, most samples from Puerto Berrío and Buriticá revealed amounts of potentially toxic elements higher than the standards for uncontaminated soils. In particular, the highest contamination values for the elements Cd, Pb, and Cr were found in Puerto Berrío. The correlation study shows that concentrations of potentially toxic elements, pollution indices, and bioindicators have a substantial association (P < 0.05) (r > 0.67). The municipalities can be categorized into three zones: a highly polluted area needing remediation, a moderately polluted zone requiring natural restoration monitoring, and a low-contamination region needing conservation efforts. Overall, this zoning proposal can help competent authorities enhance environmental management strategies.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental zoning based on the distribution of potentially toxic elements, risk contamination indices, and bioindicators in three areas affected by gold mining in Antioquia, Colombia

López,

Marín,

Saldarriaga

2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Living with wildlife and associated conflicts in areas adjacent to protected areas, Northern Zimbabwe

Chakuya,

Chikara,

Gandiwa

2024

Integrative Conservation

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Human–wildlife conflicts (HWCs) are a worldwide problem, especially around protected areas where human and wildlife needs overlap. This study focused on the Chundu communal area and the Nyamakate resettlement area in Northern Zimbabwe, with three primary objectives: (i) to identify problematic wildlife species frequently involved in HWC in these areas; (ii) to examine the temporal variations of HWC cases; and (iii) to assess the effectiveness of current and suggested mitigation measures for managing these conflicts. Data were collected in November 2019 and February 2020, periods identified as peak times for HWC in these areas. A comprehensive three‐stage sampling design was used to collect data for this study. Data were collected through household questionnaires from 16 villages (64 households) in the Nyamakate resettlement area and nine villages (36 households) from the Chundu communal area. The study identified the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) as the most problematic animal in livestock predation, followed by the African lion (Panthera leo) and leopard (Panthera pardus). There were no significant differences in HWC between the dry season (M = 315, SD = 417.79) and the wet season (M = 383, SD = 540.19; t[4] = −0.43, p > 0.05). The study concluded that HWC occurred throughout the year in both communities, unaffected by seasonal variations. It was determined that current mitigation measures are inadequate for managing HWC in both areas. In light of these findings, the study recommends the use of nonlethal methods in HWC management, reserving lethal means as a last resort.

show abstract

Proposal for a framework for environmental zoning of areas near gold mines based on the distribution of potentially toxic elements, pollution indices, and bioindicators: a case study in Antioquia, Colombia

López,

Marín,

Saldarriaga

2024

Environ Monit Assess

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Gold mining, even under strict environmental regulations, inevitably causes environmental impacts and liabilities. To address this, the study proposes a framework for environmental zoning around gold mines based on the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), pollution indices, and bioindicators. Soil samples were collected from municipalities affected by gold mining projects, and concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Cr were measured. Then, the Pollution Load Index (PLI) was calculated. A plant model was used for the biomonitoring of PTEs, and the Plant Vigor Index (PVI) was determined. Finally, environmental zoning was proposed through geospatial analysis combining PTEs, PLI, and PVI values. The concentrations of PTEs were as follows: As ranged from 1.7 to 892, Cd from 0.1 to 65.2, Pb from 18.5 to 2345, and Cr from 5.4 to 118.4. Spearman’s rank correlation showed significant relations (ρ > 0.76) between bioindicators and PTE concentrations and PLI. The PVI correlated significantly with PTE concentrations (ρ − 0.41 to − 0.67) and PLI (ρ − 0.65). The municipalities were categorized into three zones: highly contaminated, moderately contaminated, and minimally contaminated. Overall, the environmental zoning maps serve as a management tool for environmental monitoring.

show abstract

An assessment of the impact of illegal artisanal gold mining on the environment in parts of Chewore Safari Area, Northern Zimbabwe

Cited by 6 publications

References 31 publications

Environmental zoning based on the distribution of potentially toxic elements, risk contamination indices, and bioindicators in three areas affected by gold mining in Antioquia, Colombia

Environmental zoning based on the distribution of potentially toxic elements, risk contamination indices, and bioindicators in three areas affected by gold mining in Antioquia, Colombia

Living with wildlife and associated conflicts in areas adjacent to protected areas, Northern Zimbabwe

Proposal for a framework for environmental zoning of areas near gold mines based on the distribution of potentially toxic elements, pollution indices, and bioindicators: a case study in Antioquia, Colombia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About