Assessment of The Impacts of Tin Mining Around Pingel, Toro Local Government Area, Bauchi State

The digital circuit industry is in a state of rapid evolution, driven by the escalating density and intricacy of digital integrated circuits at deep nanometer dimensions.

Although mining is considered a vital economic activity worldwide, it has a profound negative impact on the environment. Particularly, opencast mining causes significant degradation to the ecological and aesthetic values of the landscape. Parameters commonly affected by such mining activities include topography and drainage, air, soil, and water quality, vegetation (including forest ecosystems), noise levels, ground vibrations, human health, and habitation. Once the extraction of resources is complete, it is essential to reclaim the altered landscape to mitigate the damaging effects of opencast mining and restore the environment and its immediate surroundings (Nazan Kuter,2013).

Tin mining in Plateau State began in the 18th century, long before the arrival of Europeans. Initially, the exploration was conducted locally and marketed through Arab caravans. In the 19th century, the industry gained prominence with the arrival of the British in the area. During this period, Plateau State was part of the ancient Bauchi Province in Northern Nigeria (Cinjel, 2010). As tin mining began earlier in Plateau state, a period of erosion followed the formation of the Younger Granites, resulting in the formation of the major morphological units of the Jos Plateau and the surrounding Kaduna-Bauchi plains. Alluvium deposited by the Plateau Rivers was covered in early Tertiary times by the extensive lava flows of the Older Basalts. The basalts have largely decomposed to clays capped by laterite and dissected by subsequent erosion. Later deposits of alluvium are the source of most of Nigeria's cassiterite production, a further volcanic episode provided the well-preserved cones and the lava flows of the Newer Basalts. It is known that almost all tin production on the Plateau is derived from alluvial concentration shed from the Younger Granites. However, some are also mined from pegmatites. (Macleod, Turner, & Wright, 1971).

Before oil exploration began in Nigeria, the country's economy was primarily sustained by mining and agricultural produce. Unfortunately, the inhabitants of these areas are now facing severe consequences (Oladeji, 2010). Environmental threats such as numerous ponds, devastated agricultural land, and ongoing conflicts over land ownership and elective positions are evident (Plateau State Peace Group, 2014).

Tin mining, particularly in regions like Jos-Plateau, Nigeria, has caused significant environmental damage. The search for cassiterite often leads to the destruction of pastoral lands used for grazing. Additionally, mine dumps and tailings contain radioactive waste, posing serious health risks. Mine ponds have resulted in several fatalities and are sources of environmental contamination. Radioactive minerals released during mining contribute to both environmental and health hazards. Soil degradation and erosion from mining activities lead to the loss of soil nutrients and organic matter, negatively impacting agriculture. Before the 1946 Mining Law, there were no regulations for mineral extraction, processing, and reclamation, resulting in unmitigated environmental damage. Even after the enactment of the law, environmental protections remain insufficient (Chindo, 2012).

LITERATURE REVIEW

Review of some literatures on earlier studies on the environmental implications of mining activities.

Gyang and Ashano (2010) conducted an assessment of the effects of mining on water quality in various areas of the Jos Plateau. They concluded that tin mining does not significantly impact water quality in the region, utilizing geosciences for sustainable development.

Musa and Jiya (2011) evaluated the impact of mining activities on vegetation in the Jos Plateau using the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI). They concluded that tin mining significantly disrupted the natural ecology of the study area, stripping organisms and plants of their natural habitats.

Ndace and Danladi (2012) evaluated the biophysical impacts of tin mining activities in Jos using time series analysis of Landsat images. They concluded that mining has significantly disrupted the natural ecology. Consequently, they recommended that mining sites should be regularly monitored, environmental damages should be assessed, mitigation studies should be conducted, and frequent inspections should be implemented to control these activities.

Michael Ajide Oyinloye (2015) research utilized IKONOS imagery within Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to buffer and extract buildings within a 3km radius of a mining site. The results indicated that most buildings within this buffer zone are at high risk, facing issues such as air pollution, noise pollution, and associated health effects.

Princewill C. Ogbonna and colleagues, 2015 conducted an integrated approach utilizing well-structured questionnaires and personal observations within the study area was employed. The study identified blindness as the primary health hazard resulting from mining activities. Notably, coal mining had a detrimental impact on several socio-economic activities of the residents in the mined area. This negative effect was primarily due to the removal of vegetation to access coal deposits, as well as the processes of blasting, quarrying, and crushing coal.

Adeyinka O. Omotehinse's 2019 research encompasses a field survey, direct mapping of mining activities, assessment of the impacts of exploration and exploitation, documentary analysis, and observations. The study's results provide an analysis of the environmental impacts of tin and coal mining.

According to Oruonye and Ahmed (2017), despite conducting field surveys and discussions addressing the challenges from abandoned mine sites, the local communities did not report any unusual illnesses or effects related to the mining activities. Many residents even rely on water from the abandoned uranium mine pit for domestic use. The study recommends periodic monitoring of water and agricultural crops to determine any potential radioactivity effects associated with the uranium ore deposits. Additionally, it suggests educating the local communities about the potential impacts of the abandoned uranium mines on their land, soil, air, and water.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

One of the primary motivations for this study is the connection between the challenges faced by the populace and the environmental issues resulting from mining activities. The study area encompasses both small-scale (artisanal) and large-scale mining operations, which pose significant environmental risks, including the uncontrolled release of heavy metals (toxicity), soil erosion, land degradation, and other human impacts. To address these issues, this research adopts a comprehensive methodology that integrates geological investigation, FGDs and survey studies to assess the environmental impacts of tin mining, and applies subsequent techniques to mitigate these challenges. The cumulative effects on the immediate local environment have been profound, with far-reaching consequences that may threaten the very existence of life.

Aim and Objectives

 The aim of the research is to assess the impacts of tin mining on the environment.

 these can be achieved via the following objectives:

1. Understanding the physical environmental problems.
2. Understanding people perceptions of mining-related to health impacts.
3. Identifying and analyzing the potential adverse effects of mining.

STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION

Pingel and its surroundings fall within the southern part of Toro Local Government Area Bauchi State, Nigeria. Its one of the twenty LGAs in the state. The area is located between Latitudes 10?19′43.85″N and 10?15′54.0″N and Longitudes 9?5′32.26″E and 9?08′00.3″E (Figure 1). The study area covers about 54 square kilometres and has various topographic landscapes, including spurs, saddles, valleys, and river channels features.

The vegetation in the study area varies between the dry and wet seasons. The average annual temperature is approximately 29.87°C, with temperatures ranging from about 13.9°C (57°F) during cooler periods to 39.2°C (102.6°F) during the hottest months. Humidity levels in Toro can vary significantly, dropping to as low as 19% during the dry season and rising to as high as 78% in the wet season (Weather Forecast, 2024).

GEOLOGY OF THE AREA

Pingel and its surrounding communities falls closely to Saiya-Shokobo complex, approximately 48km north of Jos (Aga. T and Haruna A.I 2019). This area forms an extensive and prominent hill mass, isolated from the main body of the Plateau. The complex creates a northern-trending ellipse, contiguous with the Jere-Sanga complex. At the northern end, a narrow arm extends through the Rishi Neil hills to the east, joining the northern end of the Tongolo complex. The total area of Younger Granite rocks is 97 square miles (Bulletin 32 Vol.1). The watershed lies near the eastern margin, locally known as the Delimi River. Principal streams flow northwest in deeply incised valleys, their alignment controlled by the predominant joint direction, as most of the area is underlain by rhyolites and porphyries, which form boulders.

Major rock types in the area include Migmatite Gneiss, Pegmatite, Trachyte, Granulitic Granite, and Biotite Gneiss and all representative of older and younger granites. These Pan-African rocks from the Palaeozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras have undergone tectonic activities resulting in fracturing, jointing, and cracking (Rahaman, 1988; Oyawoye, 1970).

PLATE 1: Field observation and hand specimen showing Banded Gneiss (Badikko)

PLATE 2: Field observation and hand specimen showing Migmatite Gneiss (Bakin Kogi).

PLATE 3: Hand specimen showing Pegmatite (Gumau)

PLATE 4: Hand specimen showing Granite (Feldspathoid) Pingel

Fig1: Geological Map of the Study Area.

The study employed an integrative research approach, the qualitative aspect captures the depth of experiences and perspectives through observations and discussions, while the quantitative side provides statistical validation through survey, analysed with ANOVA. Designing survey research questions to gather information on the environmental challenges of mining at both community and mining levels, Field investigation and observation, focus group discussions (FGDs), a comprehensive questionnaire were administered to 200 respondents, which covered topics such as; the demographic information, community perceptions of mining, health impact, adverse impacts, and suggestions from respondents. A literature review on related subjects was also conducted. During the initial phase of research, which included ground touring and FGD data was collected using handheld GPS devices, cameras, and, survey questionnaires and field note books. The collected data was visualized using Microsoft Excel and then exported to the ArcGIS 10.7.1 environment to produce study area map and geological maps. For further survey analysis, SPSS 22 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software was utilized for descriptive statistics (ANOVA).

RESULTS AND FINDINGS.

The research findings from the field observations and focus group discussions (FGD) identified several issues such as contaminated areas, abandon mine sites as seen and reported by the populace and also people’s interaction on the mining site. Other important impacts observed are erosion and degradation areas (plate 5, 6,7 and 8) which necessitate for the survey analysis.

PLATE 5: Abandon mine site and how people consume water for domestic use.

PLATE 6: Peoples interactions after work(L) and some women at work(R)