Mining Practices and Its Implications on Physical and Socio-Economic Environment of Yubdo District, West Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to assess the implications of mining practices on physical and socio-economic environment of Yubdo district, West Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. The study area was purposively selected and survey questionnaire were administered to 170 systematically selected respondents. The study has employed descriptive survey design. Both primary and secondary data were used for data collection. Data collection tools include field observation, questionnaire, Focus Group Discussions, interview and documentary review. Likert scoring method was used to rank the importance of the statement responded by the respondents. The results of these data were statistically analyzed and diagrammatically displayed in the forms of tables and percentage. The qualitative data were organized in to manageable size and analyzed qualitatively. The study found out that mining practices impacted the physical (land, forest, biodiversity, water resources) environment of Yubdo to the large extent. The study also revealed that the contribution of mining to socio-economic environment of the study area is insignificant. The study concludes that mining practices in the study area has negatively affected the physical and socio-economic environment of Yubdo environment. Based on the finding of this study, it is recommended that there is a need of enforcing the environmental regulations and laws so as to implement environmental management plan to mitigate the impacted area. The integration and collaboration of different stakeholders is very important to mitigate the negative effects associated with mining practices.