An Overview of Artisanal Coal Mining and its Impacts on the Environment: A Case Study of Odagbo Coal Mine, North Central Nigeria
Mining as an activity is crucial for economic growth in most countries of the world, but issues of environmental concern are poorly managed by artisanal miners. Artisanal mining is a means of sustaining livelihood that is usually characterized by exploitation of marginal deposits, a very low degree of mechanization, low level of occupational safety and in very dangerous conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the environmental impacts of coal mining at Odagbo and suggestion of useful measures at dealing with these problems for sustainable environmental management. A literature review, field investigations and stakeholder’s consultations were used for this study. The environmental problems that were identified are incidence of acid mine drainage (AMD), deforestation, scarification of the entire landscape and decline in agricultural production. This study recommends that government should implement the mining laws that will ensure sustainable development of the artisanal mining sector in Nigeria for the overall growth of the economy and protection of the environment. Also, artisanal miners should be trained to acquire competencies in sustainable mining techniques in order to mitigate these environmental problems. Further, government should consider allocating some mining leases for artisanal mining activities. These will reduce haphazard destruction of the forest in search for productive coal deposit. Coal mining should be carried out with minimal impacts on the environment and steps should be taken to reclaim degraded land by afforestation projects and back filling of exposed land with the overburden.
