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Optional Report: Effects of artinasal gold mining |
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by Okoth Okoth | 30-03-2021 15:24
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Threats to Biodiversity According to Shoko (2001) the following are environmental problems and their possible causes as a result of artisanal small scale mining and or gold panning in the Amazon basin. The set of problems caused by the clearing of land include soil erosion, siltation, and soil compaction, destruction of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity. Water pollution causes the destruction of aquatic ecosystems, plant life and depletion of fresh water resources. The third set of problems are those caused by air pollution and they are ozone depletion which protects short-wave radiation from the sun and global warming in which greenhouse gases trap long wave radiation thereby increasing the temperature on the earth‘s surface. Noise pollution from stamp mills, pan dishes and blasting also causes ill health, loss of hearing and migration of wild life and birds. Land degradation as well result in the loss of the landscape aesthetic value as mining activities leaves open pits and mounds of sand. Vegetation Destruction Dreschler (2001) argues that when the miners discover a lucrative area, they construct makeshift homes out of pole and dagga using local trees. Artisanal small scale gold miners are responsible for the clearing of extensive areas for fuel and infrastructural development in areas where those mines are located. This is as a result of the nomadic nature of artisanal small scale gold mining. The interesting point to note is that 100% of the miners‟ fuel needs come from wood. These rapid overnight settlements as observed by Shoko (2005) in newly discovered gold and gemstone areas does not only result in rampant deforestation, but also social ills associated with urbanization which include alcohol abuse, prostitution, land use conflicts with local communities as well as water pollution, child labour and diseases. He goes on to say that the excess reliance on wood as a source of energy results in the reduction of biodiversity and increasing rates of 0deforestation. Chiwawa (1993:25) estimates that for instance about four million tonnes of wood is used in Zimbabwe every year as fuel which translates to massive deforestation. Land Degradation and Siltation UNEP, (1999) refer to land degradation as a composite term defined as sustained loss in the quality and the productive capacity of the land. UNCED in the FAO discussion paper (2004) refers to desertification and land degradation as one. Land degradation threatens the economic and physical survival (UNEP, 1999) and leads to household and national food insecurity in many countries. A common indicator of land degradation is chiefly soil erosion among the reduction in vegetation cover and changes in vegetation composition. Artisanal Small scale miners occupy and utilize about 0.005% of total land in use (Dreschler, 2001), but they move a huge volume of about ten million tonnes of rock material per year. These figures show that the risk accumulation process as a result, is massive. Shoko (2005) argues that the environmental impacts of individual operations are not necessarily significant; the accumulated impacts of numerous artisanal small scale mining operations can create serious problems for ecosystems and local communities. Dreschler (2001) argues that 80% of the operations are open casts or shallow pits less than 30m deep and there are left uncovered and unprotected. This kind of land disturbance resulting from gold panning activities leave a noticeable effect on the siltation of rivers and dams, deterioration of water quality, reduction of grazing land for animals and the overall reduction in biodiversity. |
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2 Comments
Hi Okoth,
this is your mentor Yuseon:D
You have wrote another edition of your report regarding how mining impacts the environments. As I am now fully aware of the seriousness of the problem, I hope for the best so that this could be solved.
Hope that your interest on this topic can motivate others including myself to get more participation to solve this together!
Thanks for sharing this information.
Posted 07-04-2021 01:33
Hi Okoth,
This is your mentor Debbie. :)
This article seems to be an extension to the previous article you wrote! With each subheading, it is much easier to read as well.
This topic is still very new to me - if gold miners continue to cut down trees and use only wood as its energy source, it seems like something needs to be done here. There are so many negative social consequences as well as you mentioned in the second paragraph.
Thank you for raising awareness about this issue. Through your article I??m sure many readers are inspired to think about this topic!
Green Cheers,
Debbie
Posted 31-03-2021 15:21