scholarly journals Effects of prenatal exposure and co-exposure to metallic or metalloid elements on early infant neurodevelopmental outcomes in areas with small-scale gold mining activities in Northern Tanzania

2020 ◽  
pp. 106104
Author(s):  
Elias C. Nyanza ◽  
Francois P. Bernier ◽  
Jonathan W. Martin ◽  
Mange Manyama ◽  
Jennifer Hatfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prenatal Exposure ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes ◽  
Early Infant ◽  
Northern Tanzania

scholarly journals Heavy Metals in the Soils of Placer Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in Myanmar

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (27) ◽  
pp. 200911
Author(s):  
Aung Zaw Tun ◽  
Pokkate Wongsasuluk ◽  
Wattasit Siriwong
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Heavy Metal Concentrations

Background. Artisanal and small-scale mining activities are widely practiced globally. Concentrations of heavy metals associated with gold, such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) can increase in the environment as a result of mining activities, leading to environmental pollution and pose toxicity risks to humans and animals. Objectives. The aim of the present study was to investigate soil concentrations of toxic heavy metals in placer small-scale gold mining operations in Myanmar. Methods. Soil samples were collected from three placer small-scale gold mining sites: Site A located in the Hmawbon public protected forest, Site B and Site C, situated in the Nant-Kyin reserved forest around Nar Nant Htun village. At each site, soil samples were collected from four gold mining stages (ore processing, sluicing, panning, and amalgamation). Atomic absorption spectroscopy was utilized to examine the concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg. Results. The highest heavy metal concentrations were generally found in the amalgamation stages across all the gold mining sites. Across the three mining sites, the maximum heavy metal concentrations in the amalgamation stage were 22.170 mg.kg−1 for As, 3.070 mg.kg−1 for Cd, 77.440 mg.kg−1 for Hg, and 210.000 mg.kg−1 for Pb. Conclusions. The present study examined the concentrations of As, Cd, Hg and Pb in the soil of several small-scale gold mining sites in Banmauk Township, Myanmar. The results demonstrated the presence of high concentrations of heavy metals in the soil of the gold mining sites. Miners in this area work without proper personal protective equipment, and frequent exposure to heavy metals in the soil may cause adverse health effects. The present study provides baseline data for future risk assessment studies of heavy metal contamination in gold mines. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests

scholarly journals Review Of The Small Scale Gold Mining Practices At Cineam, Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java, Indonesia

1970 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-11
Author(s):  
Hutamadi Hutamadi ◽  
Bambang Nugroho Widi ◽  
Sabtanto Joko Suprapto
Keyword(s):  
Gold Deposit ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Mining Operation ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Gold Content ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
West Java ◽  
Gold Miners

Gold deposit at Cineam area is an epithermal gold deposit of low sulphidation type which lies about 180 km southeast of Bandung at an elevation of 400 meter above the mean sea level. The Cineam deposit is administratively belongs to Cineam Subdistrict , Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java Province, which dominantly occurred within volcanic rocks unit of Jampang Formation. Alterations developed in this area namely propylite, argillic, sericitation, and silisification, occurred in andesitic lava, volcanic breccia, and andesitic to dacitic tuff. The thickness of gold bearing quartz veins are commonly from few cm up to > 20 cm, while for the veins of higher grade of gold content the thickness are about 5 cm or less. The average grade of gold content is around 6 - 10 gr/t Au. Although Cineam gold deposits can not be classified as a big scale deposit, itsmineral genesis has an interesting characteristic to be further studied. The Cineam area representing one of the most prospect areas of gold found in the eastern part of West Java Southern Mountain Range. As the Cineam gold deposit is proportionally suitable for a small scale gold mine, the local government had already gave a mining license to a Family Firm in the form of a Village Unit Cooperation or “KUD” such as KUD Mekarjaya which had also been updated to become a B class of Exploitation License category that permitted for the realization of metallic exploitation. This action was in line with the implementation of Autonomy Policy since the year of 2001.Although KUD Mekarjaya’s mining production is relatively so small but in fact the mining activity is still being maintained to be daily earnings for the local gold miners to rely on. Within the long run of the local gold miners activity at Cineam which has been working since 1968, this condition can give rise to many well skilled and experienced labors in seeking for gold ores, in handling small scale gold mining works, and in obtaining for the bullions. In other side, on thecontrary, there are some negative actions must be kept under control such as the disposal of the waste or tailing directly into the river and the unsafely process of heating the amalgam to obtain the bullion including other improper ways done during the handling of their mining activities. Since the whole mining operation so far generally financed by individual investors it is very likely that small scale gold mining lacks of the capital needed for the mining operation. This condition is what the KUD always facing with so that management and financial matters can be a very serious problem affecting the progress of the KUD Mekarjaya From some presentation given by the CCOP-CASM Meeting in Bandung we can compare the condition of small scale mining in Indonesia. and that from other countries which have conducted good management in mining regulation and policy in relation with licensing, mining workers, tax payment and awareness of environment live in the vicinity of mining areas On account of that event this can be expected to motivate and encourage the policy anddecision makers either locally or centrally throughout Indonesia in giving more attention related to the guidance, monitoring and inspection of the implementation of small scale mining activities which is actually growing in numbers.

Maternal exposure to arsenic and mercury in small-scale gold mining areas of Northern Tanzania

2019 ◽  
Vol 173 ◽  
pp. 432-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elias C. Nyanza ◽  
Francois P. Bernier ◽  
Mange Manyama ◽  
Jennifer Hatfield ◽  
Jonathan W. Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Mining ◽  
Maternal Exposure ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Areas ◽  
Northern Tanzania

scholarly journals Effect of gold mining on total factor productivity of farmers: Evidence from Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 327
Author(s):  
John K. M. KUWORNU ◽  
Yaw B. OSEI-ASARE ◽  
Michael O. ANSAH ◽  
Akwasi MENSAH-BONSU
Keyword(s):  
Total Factor Productivity ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Factor Productivity ◽  
Mining Areas ◽  
Catchment Areas ◽  
Land Disputes ◽  
Cocoa Farmers ◽  
Brong Ahafo Region

Gold mining comes with several benefits to developing countries, manifested mainly in the form of employment and revenue, but simultaneously impacts negatively on the immediate environment. It affects the economic structure including agriculture and its productivity. Hence, this study investigated the effect of gold mining on total factor productivity of farmers in Ghana using 110 cocoa farmers from Asutifi North and Asutifi South districts of the Brong Ahafo Region, categorised into mining and non-mining areas respectively. About 83 % of the farmers in the mining areas were affected by gold mining through channels such as land disputes, relocation of farm/residence, high cost of labour, illegal small-scale mining and dust settlement on crops. Also, about 64 % of cocoa farmers in the mining areas lost their farm lands (between 0.4 and 3.64 ha as a result of gold mining. The Tornqvist Total Factor Productivity (TFP) indices for cocoa farmers in the non-mining areas (mean TFP of 1.404) were also statistically higher than those in the mining areas (mean TFP of 0.371). The study concluded that gold mining activities adversely affect productivity of farmers in the catchment areas. The study recommends, among others, that a policy of land-for-land should be in place and effectively implemented to ensure that mining companies in order to enhance and ensure continuity of livelihoods must fully replace lands lost through mining activities.

scholarly journals The Effects of Small Scale Gold Mining on Living Conditions: A Case Study of the West Gonja District of Ghana

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mabel A. Hoedoafia ◽  
Benjamin Spears Ngmekpele Cheabu ◽  
Vida Korang
Keyword(s):  
Gold Mining ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
The West ◽  
The People ◽  
Sampling Procedures ◽  
The Impact

In recent times, there has been a surge in small scale mining activities in Ghana which has made significant contributions to the national gold output, foreign exchange earnings, and employment among others. This paper investigated the impact of small scale gold mining on the living conditions of the people of the West Gonja District in the Northern Region of Ghana. The research involved: (a) the determination of gender and generation roles in small scale mining activities; (b) the determination of the effect of mining activities on employment, education, health, agriculture and cost of living of the people in the district and (c) The identification of the areas of interventions that will eradicate the negative effects of small scale gold mining in the district. Data of sampled households in four communities in Damongo was gathered and analyzed. The research methods included; semi structured interviews, validated self-administered questionnaires and observations. Sampling of communities and households was done using a combination of stratified and simple random sampling procedures. The study revealed varied effects with respect to small scale miners and the general community. Small scale mining has contributed positively in improving the lives of the people in the form of employment, revenue generation and meeting health, educational and basic family needs. It also confirmed the associated social, and environmental negative effects of small scale mining. The paper concludes that in the absence of a viable alternative source of economic livelihood, the West Gonja District Assembly should organize small scale miners into groups, assist them to acquire equipment needed for their operations and regularly monitor and control their activities.

scholarly journals Detection of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Activities and Their Transformation Using Earth Observation, Nighttime Light, and Precipitation Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10954
Author(s):  
Satomi Kimijima ◽  
Masayuki Sakakibara ◽  
Masahiko Nagai
Keyword(s):  
Gold Mining ◽  
Environmental Governance ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Environmental Problems ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Precipitation Data ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Nighttime Light

The rapid growth of artificially constructed mining camps has negatively impacted the camps’ surrounding environment and the informal communities that have developed inside the camps. However, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is generally informal, illegal, and unregulated; thus, transformations of the mining activities and potential social-environmental problems resulting from these changes are not revealed. This study assesses the transformation of mining activities in camp-type ASGM sectors in Gorontalo, Indonesia, during 2014–2020 using remotely sensed data, such as Landsat series, nighttime light, and precipitation data obtained through Google Earth Engine. Results show that the combined growth of the built-up areas increased 4.8-fold, and their annual mean nighttime light increased 3.8-fold during 2014–2019. Furthermore, diverse increases in the sizes of area and nighttime light intensity were identified from the mining camps. Among the studied camps, since 2017, Motomboto camp 3 showed a particularly rapid change in activity regardless of the season of the year. Hence, these approaches are capable of identifying rapid transformations in the mining activities and provide significant insight into the socio-environmental problems originating from the closed and vulnerable camp-based ASGM sector. Our results also contribute to developing rapid and appropriate interventions and strengthening environmental governance.

scholarly journals Air pollution exposure and COPD among miners, ex-miners and non-miners in Northern Tanzania: A cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngweina Francis Magitta ◽  
Meshack Denson Shimwela ◽  
Anna Alphonce Sanga ◽  
Sapna Jitendra Madas ◽  
Julius David Mwaiselage ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Underground Mining ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Cigarette Smokers ◽  
Protective Gear ◽  
Copd Patients ◽  
Northern Tanzania ◽  
Pm 10

Abstract Background: There is a substantial burden due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) contributes to a substantial burden of diseases in developed countries. The existing unregulated mining activities in Africa, often without proper protective gear, could expose miners to excessive air pollution levels and subsequent development of COPD. Methods: We conducted a case – control study in small-scale, informal, hard-rock mining site in Northern Tanzania. We recruited all eligible active miners and ex-miners and matched non-miners aged ≥30 years. We collected data on respiratory symptoms and risk factors using the BOLD questionnaire and performed spirometry with COPD defined based on post-bronchodilator FEV 1 /FVC<70%. We monitored air pollution based on PM 10 level in underground mining pits using TSI Side Pak TM AM510 samplers. Results: A total of 851 men ⦋577 active miners, 211 ex-miners and 63 non-miners⦌ were recruited with a mean age of 40.95 ± 9.21 years and two-thirds were cigarette smokers. About 83% of all respondents completed the questionnaires and underwent post-bronchodilator spirometry. The prevalence for COPD was estimated at 15.20%, 17.10% and 15.40% for active miners, ex-miners and non-miners respectively. Over 18% of current cigarette smokers had significant nicotine dependence which was associated with the duration of smoking (p= 0.028) and the number of pack years (p= 0.002). The majority of COPD patients presented with cough and had frequent exacerbations but with mild to moderate airway limitation. The majority of ex-miners presented with dyspnoea and had poor FEV 1 and FVC parameters. About 25% of COPD patients reported a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. The survey revealed up to 20000µg/m 3 of PM 10 in the underground drilling points; 400-fold higher than the acceptable WHO limits. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of COPD among small-scale miners in Tanzania. The patients are largely young and many are smoking cigarettes. The mining activities are typically carried out without protective gear. There is widespread lack of awareness of COPD and often people received inappropriate diagnosis and therapy.

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