Minimizing Losses, Socio-environmental Problems and Operational Difficulties in the Activities of Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining in Nigeria

• Ajaka E. Oyedele

  The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

• Alabi O. Oladunni

  Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

• Omotehinse O. Adeyinka

  Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is laden with problems of all sort. Low recovery, social and environmental issues, operational difficulties, use of crude mining and processing techniques, lack of equipment and little contribution to the GDP are some of the common problems; yet ASM accounts for over 75% of all mining businesses in Nigeria. Detailed field investigations and laboratory tests were carried out to understand the modes of operation in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM); the exploration techniques, mining methods used, techniques used for gold processing and extraction, wastes and tailings disposals and compliance with existing national regulations It was found that ASM activities create unsightly scenes with abandoned excavated places, littering the environment with pits, stagnated ponds, surface undulations, polluted water and soil bodies and barren surface portions which usually kickstarts gradual climate change. The survey of ASGM activities also showed that in addition to loosing up to 60% of the in-situ gold, the same environmental and social problems were common to all the mining sites visited. These problems are attributed to limited knowledge of mining, processing and waste/tailings disposal methods by the operators. Unaffordable cost of excavation equipment, absence of definite regulatory law on artisanal mining methods and non-enforcement of the existing mining laws among others are other causes observed. Proposed solutions include recommendation of a modified form of open cast mining method with continuous environmental monitoring and remediation. It is also recommended that underground and underwater mining by artisanal methods should be prohibited entirely.

1. Ajaka E. Oyedele, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

   Department of Mining Engineering, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology

2. Alabi O. Oladunni , Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

   Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology

3. Omotehinse O. Adeyinka , Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

   Department of Mining Engineering, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, 

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