Tropical surface gold mining: A review of ecological impacts and restoration strategies

Abstract

Surface gold mining severely degrades landscapes, causing deforestation, soil erosion and displacement, and toxic contamination. The prevalence of both large-scale and artisanal, small-scale surface gold mining in the tropics has risen over recent decades.Restoration strategies developed for less-severe forms of degradation may not sufficiently address the unique ecological conditions of former gold mines. In this review, we summarize biophysical challenges to the restoration and reforestation of largeand small-scale gold mines in the tropics and synthesize the findings of studies that test restoration strategies at these sites. Certain practices, such as the backfilling of mined pits, topsoil conservation, and the preservation of local seed sources, emerge from the literature as crucial for the timely and effective restoration of gold mines.However, because the severity of ecological degradation varies greatly within and between individual mines, and given the relatively small number (n = 42) of published tropical field studies found in our literature review, we highlight a clear need for continued research and development of restoration strategies specific to ecological conditions of former gold mines in the tropics.

Influence of Distance from Forest Edges on Spontaneous Vegetation Succession Following Small-Scale Gold Mining in the Southeast Peruvian Amazon

“…Mining has been a crucial activity for the world economy and the development of human societies [1,2]. However, mining-related activities cause large-scale disturbance and fragmentation when original habitats are removed, excavated, or buried by the deposition of sterile material [3,4].…”

Monitoring the threatened Harttiella (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) with environmental DNA: A comparison between metabarcoding and targeted digital PCR

“…Such temporal follow‐up is particularly important because French Guiana is experiencing a drastic increase of habitat degradation due to gold mining activities (Dezecache et al, 2017; Hammond et al, 2007). Gold mining and associated deforestation have been recognized to cause harsh local biodiversity declines (Cantera et al, 2022; Timsina et al, 2022). Fish species restricted to small streams are particularly sensitive to these anthropic disturbances and have been reported to disappear from most anthropized sites (Allard et al, 2016; Brosse et al, 2011).…”

“…Nevertheless, the Guiana Shield biodiversity is severely threatened by gold mining which induces deforestation, soil degradation, and river mercury contamination (Cantera et al, 2022;Coutant et al, 2023;Timsina et al, 2022). Considering this combination of high richness, high endemism, and increasing anthropogenic threats, particular attention should be paid to the management of the Guiana Shield freshwater ecosystems.…”

“…In addition, the presence of endemic species is remarkably high in neotropical freshwater ecosystems, with the Guiana Shield hosting 700 endemic species for almost 2200 species (Abell et al, 2008; Covain et al, 2012; Lemopoulos & Covain, 2019). Nevertheless, the Guiana Shield biodiversity is severely threatened by gold mining which induces deforestation, soil degradation, and river mercury contamination (Cantera et al, 2022; Coutant et al, 2023; Timsina et al, 2022). Considering this combination of high richness, high endemism, and increasing anthropogenic threats, particular attention should be paid to the management of the Guiana Shield freshwater ecosystems.…”

Assessment of Past and Future Land Use/Land Cover Dynamics of the Old Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and Atwima Nwabiagya Municipal Area, Ghana

“…The negative impact of mining activities on the environment and health is well documented (Nti, 2020;Antwi-Agyei et al, 2019;Frimpong Addo, 2019). Mining is a great factor of deforestation and land degradation, especially, gold prospecting and mining present one of the greatest national threats to forests reserves and indigenes in surrounding communities (Siqueira-Gay et al, 2020;Timsina et al, 2022). Surface mining operations are predominantly practiced, and their operations extensively promote the destruction of natural vegetation, economic trees and cash crops.…”