EFFECTS OF ARTISANAL MINING ON LAND DEGRADATION IN ANKA AND MARU, ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Artisanal mining has been a significant economic activity, driven by rising demand for gold and other 
minerals. This increase has led to a corresponding rise in environmental degradation, including land 
degradation, deforestation and among others. The paper analyzed the effects of artisanal mining on 
land degradation. It took critical look on both legal and illegal mining activities in the study areas and 
their level of devastated effects on land texture and structure over space. The methods implored are 
both community engagement and documentary analysis approaches. The purposive targeted 
populations for the study were licensed and unlicensed small scale gold mining operators in the study 
areas, with a sample population of 100 person, and types of data used is both primary and secondary 
sources. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistic and frequency chart that indicated major 
challenges was illiteracy 31% and lack of coordination among miners 23%, major effect of land 
degradation was water pollution and deforestation with 30% and 23% respectively, and effects of 
artisanal mining on land degradation was degradation of arable land had 20% and exposing the soil 
to wind and chemical had 18%. This result had a serious implication on ecosystem. The paper 
concluded that artisanal mining of mineral ores had caused serious damages on the land resources 
both lithospheric and hydrospheric. Therefore, to ensure sustainability in mining activities and to 
secure a quality environment, the following recommendations are hereby suggested, educating local 
miners on the dangers of open cast mining and grinding of gold ore using the same grinder for grains 
to be consumed and Policy makers should avoid politicizing vital issues that will threaten peace and 
security of people in Zamfara and its environs.