Environmental and social impacts identification for small-scale alluvial mining projects

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of the work is to use a systematic process to identify the environmental and social impacts of small-scale alluvial gold mining projects using data from Ghana.Design/methodology/approachIn this work, we used survey data collected from experts in the mining sector. This was followed by the use of a risk analysis approach to identify the significant and non-significant environmental and social impacts.FindingsSeven key impacts associated with typical alluvial mining operations were identified. The first two are the loss of vegetation and the issue of airborne diseases from dust as a result of vegetation losses during the clearing of vegetation in the block out area. The third and fourth issues were loss of vegetation and airborne diseases as a result of vegetation losses during the removal of overburden. The fifth, sixth and seventh, most significant issues identified were the pollution from smoke fumes from the processing machines; and wastewater from the washing process. The last issue of significance was the dust pollution from the transportation of the washed gravel back to the mined pit.Research limitations/implicationsOne main limitation is that the data for this study were collected from Ghana.Practical implicationsThe results indicate the need for proper and systematic measures to identify the environmental and social impacts of mining activities.Originality/valueThe work provides some insights into the strategies of identifying environmental and social impacts of mining activities. It is also one of the key works that systematically identify environmental and social impacts of small-scale alluvial gold projects.

Seasonal variation of water quality parameters of surface water in mining areas

“…The mining industry has been of great support for foreign investment and hence economic and social development especially in the developing countries (Famiyeh et al, 2020). It has aided in enhancing the source of livelihood of people living in the communities where mining in carried out.…”

“…The reason is that these are generally illegal miners who hardly consider the social and environment impact of their activities on the related communities. This has led to serious environmental and social challenges (Famiyeh et al, 2020) such as destruction of water bodies; destruction of biodiversity; degradation of farmlands (Lamboj et al, 2019); and health problems due to water borne diseases (Hasanuzzaman and Bhar, 2021;Asare-Donkor et al, 2018;Krishnakumar et al, 2017;El-Fadel et al, 2003). Over the years, ASM has been heavily criticised as a significant contributor to water pollution (Lamboj et al, 2019).…”

“…The quality of water in river bodies which serve as the main source of water for drinking, household chores and other activities, especially for rural communities in developing countries such as Ghana, have all been destroyed through anthropogenic activities (Famiyeh et al, 2020;Kessey and Arko, 2013).This has led to several challenges including serious health issues due to the dispersion of elements into water bodies (Krishnakumar et al, 2017;El-Fadel et al, 2003). Some research have been carried out on the environmental impacts of mining in Ghana (Famiyeh et al, 2020;Armah et al, 2014;Aryee et al, 2003;Hilson et al, 2007;Bortey-Sam et al, 2015). Even though there have been some research focussed on TOC of the quality of water, it related to wetlands that receive treated municipal wastewater over a long period of time (Hu et al, 2011).…”

“…Mining activities have negatively impacted surface water in several countries (Famiyeh et al, 2020) with its associated health risk (Hasanuzzaman and Bhar, 2021;Famiyeh et al, 2020;Krishnakumar et al, 2017). Some researchers have argued that mining activities has led to the pollution of surface water as levels of total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), physicochemical parameters have increased significantly (Wolkersdorfer and Mugova, 2021;Adams et al, 2007;Bell and Donnelly, 2006).…”

“…Some researchers have argued that mining activities has led to the pollution of surface water as levels of total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), physicochemical parameters have increased significantly (Wolkersdorfer and Mugova, 2021;Adams et al, 2007;Bell and Donnelly, 2006). The quality of water in river bodies which serve as the main source of water for drinking, household chores and other activities, especially for rural communities in developing countries such as Ghana, have all been destroyed through anthropogenic activities (Famiyeh et al, 2020;Kessey and Arko, 2013).This has led to several challenges including serious health issues due to the dispersion of elements into water bodies (Krishnakumar et al, 2017;El-Fadel et al, 2003). Some research have been carried out on the environmental impacts of mining in Ghana (Famiyeh et al, 2020;Armah et al, 2014;Aryee et al, 2003;Hilson et al, 2007;Bortey-Sam et al, 2015).…”