Effects Of Mining Activities Research Articles

Baleni v Minister of Mineral Resources 2019 2 SA 453 (GP): Paving the Way for Formal Protection of Informal Land Rights

In Baleni v Minister of Mineral Resources 2019 2 SA 453 (GP) the court, duly following the judicial guidance provided in Maledu v Itereleng Bakgatla Mineral Resources 2019 2 SA 1 (CC), made an important pronouncement on the rights of people who hold informal land tenure. The question in the Baleni judgment concerned the level of consent required to obtain a mining right over property held by a community with informal or customary land tenure. The court specifically considered provisions of the Interim Protection of Informal Land Rights Act 31 of 1996 (IPILRA) and the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 (MPRDA), and concluded that the provisions of these Acts should be read together when determining the level of consent required. The court found that a community's consent, as required by IPILRA, and not merely consultation with a community, as required by the MPRDA, is necessary before a mining right can be obtained over a community's property. The Baleni and the Maledu judgments set an important judicial precedent protecting informal land owners against the potentially harmful effects of mining activities, and establish a higher standard for obtaining a mining right over such property. However, despite the success of the judgment, many questions remain regarding the longevity of IPILRA, in particular, and a long-term solution to informal land tenure and land security in general. This case note argues that final legislation should be enacted to provide protection for people who hold informal land rights, and consequently to formalise indigenous communities' land rights to ensure that these judgments act as the precursor for fundamental change in the current debate regarding informal land rights.

Composition and Structure of Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Mining Areas Streams (Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa)

The existence of mining areas for decades could potentially affect aquatic environments and human health. This study allowed assessing the effects of mining activities on streams in three mining areas (Hiré, Lauzoua and Tortiya). Macroinvertebrates were collected on eight campaigns at eight stations using a hand-net, an Ekman grab and surber net. Environmental variables were recorded also. In this study the conductivity values were higher in the locality of Hiré. It was between 154.2 μS / cm (Tchindégri station) and 1753 μS / cm (Tributary Gbloh station). The highest temperature values were recorded in the stations of Tortiya locality (24 o C: Bou 2; 33.1 o C: Bou 1). A total of 184 taxa distributed among nine classes, 20 orders, 80 families and comprising 14 401 individuals were recorded. Insecta were the most diversified class in macroinvertebrate community (84% of taxa collected, eight orders and 59 families). Ecological indices (Shannon Weiner, rarefied richness, Pielou’s evenness) were significantly low at Lauzoua (N'Téko station) and Hiré (Tributary Gbloh station) (Mann- Whitney test, P <0.05). Ecological indices showed no significant variation between the stations of the locality of Tortiya. The PCA had grouped the stations into four clusters. Conductivity, ammonium, phosphate, nitrites, and nitrates were significantly higher (Mann- Whitney test, P < 0.05) in cluster I (Tributary Gbloh station) Compared to other clusters. Eight taxa (Limnius sp., Liberonautes chaperi, Gordius sp., Phyllogomphus sp., Orectogyrus sp., Bezzia sp., Adenophlebiodes, Parasedodes sp.) were specific to Tchindégri station (Hiré) and six taxa (Naucoris sp., Amphiops sp., Hydrobius sp., Pseudobagous longulus, Culicinae and Gomphus sp.) were associated to the Bou 1 and Bou 2 stations (Tortiya).

Estimation of Trace Elements in Azadiracta indica from Mining area by EDXRF technique

The effect of mining activity on environment has one of the major concerns for public health. The Present study deals with the elemental analysis of selected medicinal plant of Azadiracta indica from mining area by EDXRF technique. EDXRF is one of the most powerful, non-destructive, multi-elemental and high sensitive analytical method. The thirteen elements such as P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb and Sr were identified and their elemental concentrations were determined. The results were compared with control sample and NIST1515 apple leaves, it shows various elements found to present in deferent quantities in same plant from different areas. High elemental concentrations were found in Azadiracta indica from coal mining area, this may be due to of coal mining area has been associated with enhancement of heavy toxic elements absorbed by soil. The analysis of this study also gives the presence of elements in the environment pollution from mining area plant sample. Thus we have recommended that the people living in mining areas are to be very cautious in daily life processes due to the exposure of heavy metals and toxic chemical elements from coal mining area has harmful affect on human health.

Numerical Modeling Study of the Geo-mechanical Response of Strata in Longwall Operations with Particular Reference to Indian Geo-mining Conditions

India has been seeking technology for mass production of coal below ground. Longwall technology was accepted as one of the options a few decades ago. Unfortunately, it failed to meet the expected benchmark for success. This shortfall was deciphered and attributed to the inadequate understanding of cavability, leading to a mismatch in support performances. Hence, the present study attempted to bridge the gap in understanding of the strata behavior in longwall workings for the Indian geological formations. Four longwall panels representative of the major Indian coalfields were selected for the investigation. An effort was made to supplement the design-based knowledge of longwall workings, under different geo-mining and strata conditions. The stress redistribution was observed with the progressive mining along with the model and field-observed mechanism of strata failure, caving, and support loading. The effect of mining activities on the failure and deformation characteristics of the strata was studied using Finite Difference software FLAC3D. It was found that the geo-mechanical properties of the overlying strata and the depth of mining were the most influential factors in controlling the behavior of the strata. At shallow depth, mechanical strength and the thickness of the overlying strata were identified as the main controlling parameters for most of the ground control events. However, at greater depths, face instability appeared to be the major contributor to these events. It is inferred that the proposed numerical modeling approach could be effectively utilized for evaluation of the stress redistribution, mechanism of failure, quantification of caving span, face convergence, and support loading for longwall panels in Indian geo-mining conditions.

Heavy metal concentrations of soils near the large opencast coal mine pits in China.

Mining is a common industrial activity and significant source of soil heavy metal (HM) pollution. However, nearly all studies on the effects of mining activities on soil environmental quality have entailed field monitoring of small regions or bibliometric analyses. This study therefore investigated the pollution of surface soils surrounding 135 large opencast coal mining pits in China. A total of 1772 surface soil samples were collected, and the concentrations of eight major HMs were determined. The HM concentrations in this study were relatively lower than the published HM concentrations of coal mine soils from 50 typical Chinese coal mines. However, pollution assessments indicated that Cd, Cu, and As concentrations were concerning. Significant correlations existed between all of the HMs and mining pit area (p<0.01), as well as between the Pb and Zn concentrations and direction (p<0.05). Climate conditions had large influences on the HM concentrations. The concentrations of all studied HMs, except for Ni, were highest in Anthrosols and lowest in hydromorphic soils. The concentrations of all HMs, except for Hg, in land use types showed a descending trend of cultivated land>garden plot>grassland. Significantly negative correlations (p<0.01) between all HM concentrations and elevation were observed. Cr, Zn, and Ni were significantly and positively correlated with the slope, and no HMs, except Cr, showed significant correlations with the parcel area. This paper provides insights for the policymakers regarding soil pollution control and management strategies near coal mine pits.

Hydrotransport-Oriented Zn, Cu, and Pb Behavior Assessment and Source Identification in the River Network of a Historically Mined Area in the Hokuroku Basin, Northeast Japan.

Aquatic ecosystems continuously receive potentially hazardous heavy metals from natural and anthropogenic sources. Focusing on the origin of heavy metals, this study aims to estimate the load contribution of tributaries from individual watershed and human drainage and to dissect the source of heavy metals, as commonly required for environmental impact assessment. Using integrated water dynamics, Geographic Information System (GIS), and chemical analysis, we identified and evaluated the heavy metal sources of the Kosaka river system in Hokuroku basin, which is a historically mined area in Northeast Japan, both in the high-water and low-water seasons. The migration and diffusion behaviors of heavy metals along with hydro-transport were analyzed, and the effects of mining activities on regional water quality both in the high-water and low-water seasons were clarified. The results indicate that Zn pollution was obvious in the Kosaka River network, especially in the downstream area. The spatial heterogeneity of heavy metal outflows from tributary watersheds was obvious, and the variations had strong correlations with mine site locations. The heavy metal flows in the mainstream increased sharply in the vicinity downstream of the Kosaka refinery drainage outlets. Compared to the low-water season, the influences of human drainage were slighter in high-water season, with lower contribution rates due to the dilution effect of the greater water discharge. Downscale sampling is effective to identify pollutant sources in regional basins.

Effects of Mining Activities on Gerbillus nanus in Saudi Arabia: A Biochemical and Histological Study.

Simple SummaryMining is the extraction of materials of economic importance from the earth. It is an important source of employment and economic development. However, mining activities can impact on biodiversity, the environment, and human health, mainly through the emission of large quantities of heavy metals. Our objective was to investigate the impacts of gold mining on the Balochistan gerbil, a rodent that inhabits the natural environments of Saudi Arabia. Our results demonstrate the accumulation of heavy metals in the soil, in Arabian boxthorn plants, and in the different tissues of the gerbils. In addition, the gerbils exhibited liver, kidney, and lung injury associated with decreased antioxidants. These data may be of public interest and may call attention to the evaluation of the impacts of gold mining on the environment and nearby communities.Mining can impact the environment, biodiversity, and human health through direct and indirect practices. This study investigated the effects of gold mining on Gerbillus nanus, in relation to organ dysfunction and redox imbalance. Soil samples, Lycium shawii, and G. nanus were collected from a site near a mining plant, and a control site. Soil and L. shawii samples from the mining site showed significantly higher cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and vanadium (V) levels. Hepatic, renal, and pulmonary Cd, Pb, Hg, Zn, Cu, Fe, As, and V concentrations were significantly higher in G. nanus from the mining site. Markers of liver and kidney function were elevated in serum, and several histological manifestations were observed in the liver, kidney, and lung of G. nanus from the mining site. Malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels increased, and glutathione and antioxidant enzymes decreased in the liver and kidney of G. nanus. In conclusion, mining practices trigger tissue damage and oxidative stress in G. nanus that live close to the mining site. These findings can represent a scientific basis for evaluating the environmental and health impacts of mining on nearby communities.

Impacts of suspended sediment and metal pollution from mining activities on riverine fish population-a review.

Mining activities are responsible for the elevated input levels of suspended sediment and hazardous metals into the riverine ecosystem. These have been shown to threaten the riverine fish populations and can even lead to localized population extinction. To date, research on the effects of mining activities on fish has been focused within metal contamination and bioaccumulation and its threat to human consumption, neglecting the effects of suspended sediment. This paper reviews the effects of suspended sediment and metal pollution on riverine ecosystem and fish population by examining the possibilities of genetic changes and population extinction. In addition, possible assessments and studies of the riverine fish population are discussed to cope with the risks from mining activities and fish population declines.

Effects of Mining Activities on the Release of Heavy Metals (HMs) in a Typical Mountain Headwater Region, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China.

Understanding the heavy metal (HM) contamination in alpine mountain headwaters regions is important to maintaining the ecosystem stability of the basin. A total of 119 water samples and 104 sediment samples were collected along tributaries and the main course of Heihe River. The concentrations of eight heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in water and sediment were measured to describe their spatial variability and to assess water quality. To identify the origins and pathways of HMs, anions, cations, and trace elements, as well as δD/δ18O stable isotopes in water samples were also measured. The results of water quality assessment suggested that tributaries were affected by local mining activity. Factor analysis in sediments showed that all HMs in sediments were inherited from the parent bedrock. Both natural weathering and mining contribute HMs. Cr and Ni were homologous with a source from the weathering of basic gabbro and serpentine at Yushigou. Mn appeared to be influenced more by artificial activities such as agriculture and grazing. Depending on the mining technique involved, two pathways for the release of HMs were distinguished in this area. For open-pit mining, mining promoted the release of HMs primarily via enhanced weathering. For underground mining, HMs might have contributed to greater acid mine discharge at high elevations due to the weak weathering processes. As the elevation decreases, precipitation increases, and a series of complex hydrological factor significantly affect leaching and runoff. The study results can be applied to improve water management efficiency.

Effects of mining activities on evolution of water chemistry in coal-bearing aquifers in karst region of Midwestern Guizhou, China: evidences from δ13C of dissolved inorganic carbon and δ34S of sulfate.

The generation of acid mine drainage (AMD) may accelerate watershed erosion and promote the migration of heavy metals, then threaten local ecosystems such as aquatic life and even human health. Previous studies have focused primarily on influence of AMD in surface environment. In order to reveal the acidizing processes in karst high-sulfur coalfield in Southwest China, this study, by contrast, focused on the hydrogeochemical evolution process and acidification mechanism of mine water in Zhijin coalfield, western Guizhou Province. The oxidation of pyrite and other sulfides induced strong acidification of mine water according to the water chemical analysis. As a result, a series of geochemical processes such as dissolution of carbonates and silicates, hydrolysis of metal ions, and degassing of CO2 complicated water chemical evolution. The dissolution of silicates controlled the chemical composition of mine water, but more carbonates might be dissolved during the acidification of mine water. The sources of sulfate are quite different in water samples collected from the two selected mine. According to sulfur isotope analysis, the dissolution of gypsum is the primary source of sulfate in samples from Hongfa mine, whereas sulfide oxidation contributed a large amount of sulfate to the mine water in Fenghuangshan mine. The dissolution of carbonates should be an important source of DIC in mine water and CO2 originating from organic mineralization might also have a certain contribution. This study elucidated the groundwater chemical evolution processes in high-sulfur coal-bearing strata and provided a foundation for further study of carbonates erosion and carbon emission during acidification of mine water.

Case study of negative impact of concave coal basin on long ribbon building development

The development analysed in this article was under the effects of mining activity in 2012-2016, most importantly in the area of influence of the mining basin. As a result of the mining activity, the terrain became considerably deformed and sloped. Effects on the buildings' condition consisted in tilt of the segments, measuring between 10-25 mm/m. The units also moved in relation to each other at the movement joints, and their structure suffered heavy damage, mostly in the form of cracks and chips on the walls. For ribbon buildings, i.e. buildings which may be divided with movement joints and which may form long rows, specific locations on top of a mining basin may lead to endangering the safety of structures and their users, even in newly constructed buildings.

Behaviour of Masonry Walls under Horizontal Shear in Mining Areas

The paper discusses behaviour of masonry walls constructed with small-sized elements under the effects of mining activity. It presents some mechanisms of damage occurring in such structures, its forms in real life and the behaviour of large fragments of masonry walls subjected to specific loads in FEM computational models. It offers a constitutive material model, which enables numerical analyses and monitoring of the behaviour of numerical models as regards elastic-plastic performance of the material, with consideration of its degradation. Results from the numerical analyses are discussed for isolated fragments of the wall subjected to horizontal shear, with consideration of degradation, impact of imposed vertical load as well as the effect of weakening of the wall, which was achieved by introducing openings in it, on the performance and deformation of the wall.

Effects of mining activities on evolution of water quality of karst waters in Midwestern Guizhou, China: evidences from hydrochemistry and isotopic composition.

Zhijin coal-mining district, located in Midwestern Guizhou Province, has been extensively exploited for several decades. The discharge of acid mine drainage (AMD) has constituted a serious threat to local water environmental quality, which greatly affected the normal use of local people. The Permian limestone aquifer is the essential potable water supply for local people, which covered under the widely distributed coal seams. To investigate the origin of the water, the evolutionary processes, and the sources of dissolved sulfate in the karst waters, the mine water, surface water, and groundwater near the coal mines were sampled for stable isotopes (H, O, and S) and conventional hydrochemical analysis. The results of hydrochemistry and isotopic composition indicate that the regional surface water and partial karst groundwater are obviously affected by coal-mining activities, which is mainly manifested in the increase of water solute concentration and the change of hydrochemical types. The isotopic composition of δ2HH2O and δ18OH2O indicates that the major recharge source of surface water and the groundwater is atmospheric precipitation and that it is influenced obviously by evaporation in the recharge process. The surface water is mainly controlled by the oxidation of pyrite, as well as the dissolution of carbonate rocks, whereas that of natural karst waters is influenced by the dissolution of carbonate rocks. The resulting δ34SSO4 values suggest that the dissolved sulfate source in the surface water is mainly pyrite oxidation but atmospheric precipitation for the karst groundwater. Given the similar chemistry and isotopic composition between surface water and partial groundwater, it is reasonable to assume that most of the dissolved sulfate source in part of the groundwater was derived through the oxidation of pyrite in the coal. Furthermore, the contamination of the surface water and partial groundwater from the coal seam has occurred distinctly in the catchment, which is enriched in SO42- and is mostly depleted δ34S in sulfate.

Interpreting seismic velocity changes observed with ambient seismic noise correlations

Recent results have shown that crosscorrelating ambient seismic noise recorded in underground mines can successfully extract the seismic Green’s function between sensors. We have revisited an earlier experiment that showed that these virtual seismic sources can be used to measure changes in seismic velocity accurately enough to monitor the short- and long-term influences of a blast in an underground mine. To use this method routinely, it is important to determine the cause of velocity variations in the absence of large dynamic stress perturbations (such as blasts). It also is important to calibrate the seismic velocity changes in terms of known stress changes so the effect of mining activities can be quantified in units that can be used by geotechnical engineers. To this end, we used coda-wave interferometry to measure relative velocity variations during times where no significant blasting or microseismic activity occurred and compared it to atmospheric air pressure changes, temperature variations, and modeled tidal strain. The results indicate that atmospheric air pressure changes have a measurable influence on the long-term seismic velocity variations at depth in the absence of large dynamic stress perturbations. This influence enabled us to determine the sensitivity of the relative velocity changes to stress, where a value of [Formula: see text] was found. This calibration essentially enables us to turn each sensor pair in an underground mine into a stress meter, paving the way for geotechnical engineers to use ambient seismic noise correlations to monitor the evolution of stress and to assess seismic hazard in conjunction with conventional microseismic methods.

Temporal and spatial changes of land use in rare metal mining areas of Rwanda

To analyse the effects of mining activities on land use and land cover changes in the Gatumba mining district of Rwanda, aerial photos from 1958, 1974 and 2009 were classified using segmentation approaches. Drastic land cover changes were observed in the study region with the highest mining activities in 1974. From 1958 to 1974, woodland decreased by 54% and cropland increased rapidly. From 1974 to 2009 the process reversed, with woodland increasing while cropland decreased by 51%. This was mainly due to enforced legal regulations of the Government of Rwanda to control land degradation and a decline of mining activities.

Evaluation of water quality in surface water and shallow groundwater: a case study of a rare earth mining area in southern Jiangxi Province, China.

This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of surface water and shallow groundwater near a rare earth mining area in southern Jiangxi Province, China. Water samples from paddy fields, ponds, streams, wells, and springs were collected and analyzed. The results showed that water bodies were characterized by low pH and high concentrations of total nitrogen (total N), ammonium nitrogen (NH4 (+)-N), manganese (Mn), and rare earth elements (REEs), which was likely due to residual chemicals in the soil after mining activity. A comparison with the surface water standard (State Environmental Protection Administration & General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China GB3838, 2002) and drinking water sanitary standard (Ministry of Health & National Standardization Management Committee of China GB5749, 2006) of China revealed that 88 % of pond and stream water samples investigated were unsuitable for agricultural use and aquaculture water supply, and 50 % of well and spring water samples were unsuitable for drinking water. Moreover, significant cerium (Ce) negative and heavy REEs enrichment was observed after the data were normalized to the Post-Archean Australian Shales (PAAS). Principal component analysis indicated that the mining activity had a more significant impact on local water quality than terrace field farming and poultry breeding activities. Moreover, greater risk of water pollution and adverse effects on local residents' health was observed with closer proximity to mining sites. Overall, these findings indicate that effective measures to prevent contamination of surrounding water bodies from the effects of mining activity are needed.

Effect of mining activities on the chemistry of aquatic ecosystem components

Changes in water chemistry in the Rudnaya R. (Primorskii krai, RF) are considered. The river drains an area on the eastern macroslope of the Sikhote Alin Ridge with active mining operations, whose intensity considerably dropped in the recent 25–30 years. However, river pollution by metals is still high and even increases in its upper and middle reaches. The anthropogenic impact on the nearby coastal–marine ecosystems was assessed based on the accumulation of metals in brown macroalgae C. costata, F. evanescens and C. crassipes, which reflects the geochemical conditions in the marine environment governed by metals delivered by river runoff and aerial fallout. A decrease in metal releases into the atmosphere, caused by the closure of a lead smelter was accompanied by a decrease in Pb and Cu concentrations in macrophytes north of the Rudnaya Bay, where the effect of river is minimal. In the coastal water south of the mouth, where the main runoff from the land expands, only Pb concentration was found to decrease in the recent 25–30 years. The concentration of Cu and Zn is still high and that in F. evanescens even increases.

A novel active prevention technology for borehole instability under the influence of mining activities

Coal bed methane (CBM) drainage is an efficient method used to control gas hazards. Nevertheless, borehole instability is prone to occur under repeated disturbances by external stress from mining activities. Consequently, the collapsed coal blocks the gas-flow channel to further induce several gas drainage problems, including low gas concentration and flow, poor drainage result, etc. Due to these problems, screen pipes were installed in this work to provide active support in order to prevent borehole instability. Initially, the effect of mining activities on borehole stability was analysed. Subsequently, we explored the instability characteristics and corresponding acoustic emission (AE) properties of a non-supported borehole and a borehole stabilized by internal active support. These boreholes were drilled in the lab sample instead of the real coal sample. Moreover, the abilities of the holes to resist disturbances due to external stresses were compared. When the stress reached 10 MPa, the non-supported borehole was completely destroyed, whereas the actively supported borehole only slightly deformed. As the stress continuously increased to 14 MPa, a deformation of 15 mm was detected along the radial direction of the actively supported borehole. Additionally, an analysis of the dynamic changes in the strain on the screen pipe surface, the AE time–sequence parameter and location information indicated that the maximum AE event count and energy dissipation rate of the supported borehole at 14 MPa were 44% and 23% lower, respectively, than the corresponding values for the non-supported borehole at 10 MPa. Thus, the support increases the ability of the borehole to resist disturbance by at least 40%. Furthermore, the locating points and energy rate appeared to temporally cluster at coal-yielding or failure stage. Hence, the supporting effect of the screen pipe on the coal around boreholes at the crushing stage is significant. The internal support to the borehole provides a positive confining pressure for the coal in the fracture zone to improve the coal's residual strength. Depending on the support from the screen pipe, the coal can mesh to remain in place and thus prevent collapse, which improves the stability of the borehole.

Land degradation in gold mining communities of Ijesaland, Osun state, Nigeria

This paper identified 37 mining sites in ten gold mining communities of Ijesaland, Nigeria; examined the forms, levels and extent of land degradation resulted from mining activities; analyzed spatial pattern of land use and finally assessed the effects of mining on livelihood of the people. The study utilized global positioning system receiver to obtain geographic coordinates of mining sites. The forms of land degradation were captured through field observations and photographs while the levels and extent of the degraded lands were measured with measuring tape and the values were determined using mathematical formula for calculating area of a circle. Landsat datasets were used to analyze spatial pattern of land use and the effects of mining activities were examined through questionnaire administration on two hundred heads of household who were randomly selected. Focus group discussions (FGD) were organized among adult men and women to complement information obtained from questionnaire survey. The study discovered 354 mining pits as major form of land degradation, which ranges in sizes and depths. The average depth of mining pits was 3.4 m while an estimate of 25.8 ha. of land was degraded in the entire mining sites. There was a consensus among FGD participants and respondents of questionnaire survey that mining activities introduced adverse effects into their communities and attracted socio-economic benefits at the same time. The results of this study underscore the need for close monitoring of mining operations to reduce the negative impact of mining activities on the environment.

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

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.