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. 

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.