concentrations found in samples from the control site (upstream) are cadmium (0.001mg/L) copper (0.006mg/l),

chromium (0.025mg/l), iron (.01mg/l) lead (0.009mg/l) and mercury (.0088mg/l) are all below the acceptable

permissible limit of WHO/NAFDAC. While the result from the mining processing (washing) site show a very

high increase in the heavy metal concentration of cadmium (0.008mg/L) copper (0.032mg/l), chromium

(0.091mg/l), iron (0.447mg/l) lead (0.032mg/l) and mercury (0.031mg/l).the mean concentration of cadmium

are (0.0.0058mg/l),chromium(0.027mg/l) and iron (0.1624) on(0.1624mg/l) are below the acceptable

permissible limit of NAFDAC while copper(0.02mg/l),lead(0.0257mg/l) and mercury(0.0267mg/l)are above the

acceptable permissible limit of NAFDAC. Cadmium (0.0.0058mg/l), copper (0.02mg/l), chromium (0.027mg/l)

and iron (0.1624) are below WHO limit while, lead (0.0257mg/l) and mercury (0.0267mg/l)/l) are above the

acceptable permissible limit of WHO. The result shows heavy metal concentration due to artisanal and small-

The practice, which provides a livelihood for an estimated 100million people directly and indirectly, also comes

at a cost: large-scale deforestation, air and water contamination and chronic human diseases, particularly from

mercury used to process the gold ore.

Artisanal and small-scale mining is the no.1anthropogenic cause of mercury pollution in the world and major

sources of fund to finance the activities of bandits and terrorists in Africa especially Nigeria.

Mining activities, including prospecting, exploration, construction, operation, maintenance, expansion,

abandonment, decommissioning and repurposing of a mine can impact social and environmental systems in a

range of positive and negative, and direct and indirect ways. Mining can yield a range of benefits to societies,

but it may also cause conflict, not least in relation to above ground and sub-surface land use. Similarly, mining

can alter environments, but remediation and mitigation can restore systems. The activities affected both social

enough resources and adequate equipment and technology required for the mining activities.

Borgu and its environment as a major gold field suffer in the hands of artisanal miners particularly in New Bussa.

This work therefore will be studying the environmental problems associated with artisanal gold mining in new

bussa using both physical observations and laboratory analysis of samples.

Artisanal mining broadly refers to mining by individuals, groups, families or cooperatives with minimal

mechanization, often in the informal sector of the market. Artisanal gold mining is carried out in developing

countries of Africa, Oceania and Central and South America. According to Hentschel et al. (2002), globally the

number of people estimated to be involved in this activity is 80–100 million people. Africa produces more than

metals, including gold. Although underexplored, Africa hosts about 30% of the planet’s mineral reserves,

Borgu LGA is located in Niger Sate (Figure 1) and the Au mines of Borgu are located mostly in the communities

of Popo-Kere, Koro, Daban Oli and Daban Fura. Extraction of the Au ore under artisanal mining in Borgu area

is an extremely strenuous and hazardous activity. Prospective Au mines are usually located based on intuition

and experience. Mining of gold has being left in the hands of artisanal miners who do not have enough resources

and adequate equipment and technology required for the mining activities.

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) are mining operations which are easily controlled technologically and

financially by under-equipped populations with limited means and exploited as individuals, families,

Mining can be divided into three based on the processes involved in the extraction. Open Pit mining is the form

where material is excavated from an open pit; it is one of the most common forms of mining for strategic minerals

that are available in small deposits as shown in Figure 2 (Dontala et al. 2015). Underground Mining involves

large-scale movements of waste rock and vegetation. These two forms are believed to have the potential for

tunnel collapses and land subsidence (Betournay, 2011).In situ leach (ISL), mining which is done underground,

is believed to have environmental and safety advantages over the other two (World Nuclear Association, 2012)

The area of the study, The Nasarawa-Kainji gold processing (washing) site and the adjoining Mayara River

which shared boundary with Borgu and Mashegu Local Government area Niger State Nigeria.

Samples were collected from 4 locations by dipping 1L white polyethylene plastic bottles into the source and

the river.

Bottles were previously washed thoroughly with detergents and deionized water and then soaked by filling with

20% dil HNO3 for 24hrs.Then the bottles were then washed with tap water and then with distilled deionized

water.

During collection of samples, bottles were rinsed properly with the river water samples and then the samples

were collected from the side of the riverbank, the washing pond, the discharge area and river source (no activities

The collected samples were immediately carried to the National Institute of Fresh Water Fisheries Research

(NIFFR) Central Laboratory for AAS analysis.

Heavy metal concentration collected from different sampling site in artisanal and small scale gold processing

Figure 3: Concentration of element against sample one

Sample3 up stream

An excess mercury Hg was obtained in all the sample point indicating that it has exceeded the guidelines

recommended by united state environmental protection agency. USEPA. World Health Organization WHO and

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. NAFDAC. Also lead exceeded the

recommended limit of WHO and NAFDAC. Chromium with average conc. of 0.0247mg/l exceeded the

recommended acceptable permissible limit of 0mg/l.

Artisanal and small scale gold mining are activity that employs many people in rural area because the barriers

exposed to chemical contaminants, unsanitary conditions, prostitution, alcoholism and drug addiction. Women

and children are generally the most affected by these hazard.it is also associated with a number of environmental

impact which are deforestation and land degradation, open pits which pose as animal traps and health hazards

and mercury pollution, dust and noise pollution.

However, gold mining operation also have positive impact on the environment if sustainable and modern method

are adopted. Considering that gold mining activities in Nigeria are operating below capacity, efforts should be

made to review the law and enforce them to minimize casualties.

Artisanal and small scale gold mining (ASGM) activity needs to be encouraged to reduce the rate of youth

unemployment in Nigeria but there is also the need to greatly re –organized the trade, educate the miner and

provide technical /improved technology on site with adequate security to checkmate all forms of anti-social

The environmental impacts of artisanal gold mining in Borgu local government area are still on a small-scale

but a potential danger in the nearest future if the practice continues without concise action to mitigate the effect.

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environment in the sangba tri – national park (TNS) land scape, Congo basin Yaoundé Cameroon, CIFOR

13. Viaga M.M. (2013). Mercury in artisanal gold mining in Latin America: facts, fantasies and solutions,

UNIDO Expert Group Meeting-introducing new technologies for abatement of global

mercurypollution deriving from artisanal gold mining, Vienna Austria.

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artisanal and small-scale gold mining. http://www.who.int.