Impact of an Abandoned Mine on Surrounding Soils, Surface Water and Stream Sediment: Case of SOMIAF Gold Mine, Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

The chemical analyses of surface water revealed that almost all the studied water are of poor quality based on the water quality index (WQI). On soils and stream sediments samples the chemical analyses showed Cd, Pb and As pollution. While soil contamination by Pb may be due to mining activity as shown in the water case, Cd and As seems to be coming from agricultural activities due to the widespread contamination. This study allowed us to get an overall view of the state of the environment after the end of the mining activity with the focus on the state of the quality of water consumed by the populations. A more detailed study must be carried out in order to accurately characterize the origin of the metal pollution in the waters.

Hydrochemical Characterization and Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Mining Environment of Afema Township (South-East of Côte d’Ivoire)

“…Ces questions sont encore plus préoccupantes dans les pays en voie de développement en raison de la souplesse, supposée ou avérée, des législations. En Côte d'Ivoire, plusieurs auteurs, se sont intéressés à la contamination métallique des écosystèmes en général (Coulibaly et al, 2011 ; Kouassi et al, 2012 ; Keumean et al, 2013) et des environnements miniers en particulier (Yapi al., 2014 ;Yao et al, 2017;Yao & Ahoussi, 2020;Ouattara et al, 2022). Ces études ont, dans leur majorité, détecté des pollutions métalliques dans certains milieux aquatiques.…”

Surface Water Sediments Characterization Using Metallic Trace Elements (MTEs): Case of the Artisanal Gold Mining Sites of Kokumbo (Côte d’Ivoire)

“…Most of the important research work on gold mining activities has been carried out on groundwater in the Hiré regions [4] [5], and on the environmental assessment of gold panning. Also, [6] worked on the impacts of the former SOMIAF (Société des Mines d'AFEMA) mine on surface sediments. For example, [7] assessed the effect of artisanal mining on the pollution levels of certain trace elements in sediments and water in Ghana.…”