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Thematic report: Business and Environment |
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by Okoth Okoth | 30-03-2021 15:19
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Studies on the impacts of artisanal small scale gold mining have not been extensively carried out despite the fact that it employs more people than large scale mining. Numerous environmental and social impacts from artisanal small scale mining are gaining interest. Artisanal small scale gold mining in Rongo district has intensified due to rising poverty levels and perennial droughts that have been affecting the area over the past decade. The importance of artisanal small scale gold mining is reinforced by the fact that in the past few years it has become the main source of cash income in place of animal farming. Artisanal small scale gold mining therefore, serves as a source of livelihood and income as it has become the major source of cash income.Traditionally, people in Rongo district made their living from subsistence crop production and livestock rearing. In the recent past, households that relied on rain fed agriculture had continuously faced substantial food insecurity due to increased population thus pressure on land for settlement. Diversification into artisanal small scale gold mining in Rongo district, while providing employment and livelihoods to many, poses ecological problems. The negative impacts of artisanal small scale gold mining in the district are deforestation, land degradation, deterioration of water and air quality, depletion of water resources, loss of grazing land and the overall reduction in biodiversity. The nature of the mining activity promotes destruction of large tracts of land through, deforestation and land degradation. The practice has also become the worst enemy of water, air and the general biodiversity posing a threat to the ecosystem survival. Environmental degradation has reduced the capacity of the ecosystem to meet the future needs of people for food and other products, and to protect them from flood and drought hazards. The degradation and loss of the ecosystem is capable of worsening negative impacts on human wellbeing such as reduced availability of goods and services to local communities, increased spread of diseases and reduced economic activity. The gold panning process on the river banks, beds and the surrounding areas discharges huge amounts of loose silt and heavy metals into the river system. The research therefore seeks to investigate in depth the impacts of artisanal gold mining. A better understanding of the processes that lead to environmental problems can help promote environmentally friendly gold mining practices. Soil and water quality are sensitive variables as they are the main drivers of ecosystems. These two are deemed to be victims of contamination and resultant pollution from highly toxic chemicals used in the processing of gold by the gold panners in Rongodistrict. To accomplish the concentration and amalgamation process gold panners use mercury. Mercury is a harmful substance to humans, animals and aquatic life, either indirectly or directly through bioaccumulation in the food chains (Tunhuma, 2006). Use of mercury in the extraction and processing of gold therefore is posing a threat to humans and aquatic life. According to the UNDP report (2005) mercury is a poisonous substance when either inhaled or washed away. It causes lung cancer and skin disease if inhaled and if washed away during the amalgamation process, it settles into the surrounding environment, where it is absorbed and processed by a variety of living organisms. Mercury used by panners is discharged in an abusive manner into ecosystems (Pfeiffer&Larceda, 1988; Meech, et al., 1998). UNDP in its report (2005:57) further notes that the amalgamation process transforms mercury into a highly toxic substance. It echoes that: This process transforms elemental mercury into methyl mercury. Methyl mercury is one of the most toxic organic compounds and a powerful neurotoxin that works its way up the food chain through bioaccumulation.
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2 Comments
Hi Okoth, this is your mentor Yuseon:D
Thank you for your well written thematic report! Mining seems to be the hot issue on environmental aspects. I didn't know about it, till recent reports of explaining its harm done to the environment and how it polluted it. I didn't know it even impacted Soil and water quality with its pollutants.
Now that I know how the causes work, I should put more interest in this area and study for real solutions, too.
Keep up the good work,
Yuseon
Posted 07-04-2021 00:48
Hi Okoth,
This is your mentor Debbie. :)
I knew mining was causing serious environmental issues, but I didn??t know small scale gold mining was also a part of this. It appears to me that a lot of actions that we??ve never imagined that would be problematic are actually affecting the environment in a negative way.
Mercury, especially, is not only harmful for the environment but also harmful to us human beings when it is not handled carefully. Hopefully in the near future we can find a good substitute!
Thanks for sharing an informative article! Will be looking for more from you! ;)
Green Cheers,
Debbie
Posted 31-03-2021 15:15