Predictive Study of Trace Metal Pollution of Gold Panning Sites in Birimian Formations: Case of the Yaouré Furrow (Côte d’Ivoire)

Abstract

The present study was carried out on small-scale gold mining sites in the Yaouré region of Côte d'Ivoire. This region is geologically representative of the Birimian formations (2.1 Ga) of West Africa. The aim is to determine the potentially toxic trace metals (TMEs) generated by these sites, with a view to preventing possible contamination and/or metal pollution of the waters that provide fish products for local populations. To this end, a sampling campaign was carried out, resulting in the collection of 20 mining waste samples analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and 10 by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The XRF analysis detected 06 predominant TMEs: arsenic, chromium, copper, nickel, zinc and vanadium. Statistical analysis was carried out to determine the distributions and correlations between these ETMs. To assess contamination and/or pollution levels, the following indices were calculated on the basis of reference concentrations of upper continental crust MTEs: Enrichment Factor, Geo-accumulation Index, Concentration Factor, Degree of contamination and those related to ecological risks. The results of statistical analyses and indices have shown that arsenic and chromium are the most predominant and can be, depending on the chemical form, potentially more toxic. The results of the DRX analysis show the occurrence of several minerals carrying these two MTEs, especially that of a rare mineral, Stenhuggarite, an arsenic oxide linked to hydrothermal veins. The majority of gold mining operations in West Africa are located in the birimian zone, hence the need for environmental monitoring by the relevant authorities, to prevent potential ecological risks to water and possibly health risks via the food chain.