Abstract
The present study performed on the Angovia, Kokumbo, Hire and Agbaou sites consisted of mapping the environmental risks linked to artisanal gold mining activities in C?te d’Ivoire. An inventory was done by observing the different phases of gold extraction and identifying the risks associated with these phases. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS), the representation of the spatial distribution of the pollution risks has been realized from indicator descriptives of the environmental sensitivity (i.e. slope, proximity to the watercourse, soil cover) and the transfer indicator (i.e. rainfall). The analysis of this map showed low sensitivity of mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) measured in the waters of the Hire and Agbaou localities, while moderate sensitivity in Kokumbo surface waters and high sensitivity for those of Angovia locality were observed. Moreover, analysis of Hg, As, Cu and Zn content spatial distribution maps in surface waters revealed that Hg and As come mainly from the artisanal mining activities for most localities. Among these metallic trace elements observed, only the Hg content was above the WHO Limit Values, 1994 (>0.001 mg·L-1). The continuous spread of metallic trace elements in surface water can pose serious health problems for people living around artisanal gold mining sites, hence the need to put in place a protection plan against contamination.
Highlights
Mining has become a major economic activity in several African countries and is an income source for many people while generating many hopes for development
The present study performed on the Angovia, Kokumbo, Hire and Agbaou sites consisted of mapping the environmental risks linked to artisanal gold mining activities in Côte d’Ivoire
This study focused on Hire, Kokumbo, Agbaou, and Angovia villages (Figure 1), located in southern Côte d’Ivoire between 659,194.069 - 791,709.78 m North latitudes and 207,777.30 - 269,001.59 m Eastern longitudes (UTM 30)
Summary
Mining has become a major economic activity in several African countries and is an income source for many people while generating many hopes for development. The population engages in the clandestine mining of gold because of poverty and the firmness lack of decision-makers. Artisanal mining may seem like a lucrative business, given the great enthusiasm it generates, but it has many negative impacts, both social and environmental (Goh, 2016). According to Maradan et al (2011), in Burkina Faso, the artisanal gold mining typically relies on the openings of trenches, wells, scraping and flipping, with the weakening of soils and the progressive destruction of land arable. In Mali, for example, lack of hygiene and exposure to dust and moisture in holes expose miners to all kinds of diseases
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