Despite the fact that gold has been mined in Gashaka, Taraba State for over a century and has continued to present day in the area, not much is known about this activity and its associated environmental impact in the state. This study therefore, examines the dynamics of artisanal small scale gold mining activities in Gashaka Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design approach which involves the use of direct fieldwork observation and interview of key informants. The findings of the study reveals that alluvial gold is mined along the streams and farmlands on the floodplains in the area. The gold exists as alluvial gold dust and nugget gold. The artisanal gold mining activity is carried out with rudimentary materials such as pickaxes, diggers, shovels, spades, pans and water pumps. Some of the local mining communities are Gayam, Jamtari, Karamti, Serti, Goje, Bodel, Mayo Jim, Bashishir, Kurr and Garbabi. The 3 major methods employed by artisanal gold miners in the study area include panning method, use of locally constructed devices and picking of gold nuggets or crystals from dug pit on the floodplain. The artisanal gold miners use sulphuric acid and white mercury in purifying the collected gold. The miners do not use any protective gears such as face masks, rubber gloves, leather boots or head coverings in the mining process. All golds collected from the mining activities are sold in the town (Serti/Baruwa). There is a ready market with both local buyers residing in the town and distant buyers coming from different parts of the country. Artisanal gold mining is an important livelihood activity in the study area despite the fact that many of them are carried out illegally. Based on the findings, the study recommended the establishment of a goldsmith industry, improvement in security in the local communities and organizing the artisanal gold miners into cooperative organizations.
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Oct 8, 2024
Carolyn Wilke 
Open Access
