The Effect Of Small Scale Mining On The Environment

Because the overburden from excavated material contains acerbic chemical, it pollutes nearby water bodies causing severe harm to inhabitants relying on the water. In addition to that amalgamation which is the simplest and cheapest technique used by almost all small scale gold miners involves in the use of mercury which contaminates the soil, surface and underground water.

Though artisan miners always argue that mining occurs on a relatively small portion of land, it contribution to land degradation is enormous. Osafo (2011) findings also indicated the effects of artisan mining on the environmental has a detrimental effect on the nearby water bodies and soil.
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