Environmental consequences related to poor adherence to standard mining practices by artisanal and small scale miners: The case of Ashiraq mines, Tanzania

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dc.creatorLema, Meserecordias W. J.
dc.date2020-03-13T08:32:47Z
dc.date2020-03-13T08:32:47Z
dc.date2016
dc.date.accessioned2022-10-20T14:01:35Z
dc.date.available2022-10-20T14:01:35Z
dc.descriptionFull Text Article. Also available at: http://www.openscienceonline.com/journal/ajees
dc.descriptionThis study assesses the contribution of small scale mining towards environmental degradation. Field observation, insitu measurements and laboratory analysis were conducted to determine environmental consequences caused by poor adherence to standard mining practices by artisanal and small scale miners in Ashiraq Mines in Tanzania. Field observation revealed significant land and soil disturbance in the study area such as the existence of abandoned old workings. Direct measurements of pH values for water samples from the nearby river revealed higher acidity on the downstream than the upstream side of the river. Estimates of Mercury concentrations in the atmosphere showed a significant addition of Mercury due to amalgam burning. Also laboratory analysis of water samples from the nearby river was done using the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) to determine Mercury contents in surface water. The analysis revealed high levels of Mercury concentrations in downstream water above recommended values. Mercury contents for the upstream samples were relatively lower than the upstream values but also lower than the recommended values. The study also recommends different measures to be undertaken by regulatory authorities to improve awareness and adherence to standard mining practices for artisanal and small scale miners, to reduce environmental consequences related to small scale mining.
dc.identifierLema, M. W. J. (2016). Environmental consequences related to poor adherence to standard mining practices by artisanal and small scale miners: The case of Ashiraq mines, Tanzania. American Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science, 3(3), 14.
dc.identifier2381-4713
dc.identifierhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12661/2159
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12661/2159
dc.languageen
dc.publisherOpen Science
dc.subjectSmall scale mining
dc.subjectMining regulations
dc.subjectMining practices
dc.subjectStandard mining practices
dc.subjectEnvironmental degradation.
dc.subjectEnvironmental consequences
dc.subjectArtisanal miners
dc.subjectSmall scale miners
dc.titleEnvironmental consequences related to poor adherence to standard mining practices by artisanal and small scale miners: The case of Ashiraq mines, Tanzania
dc.typeArticle

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