Environmental effects of mining on local communities in Kitwe and Mufulira in Copperbelt province, Zambia
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Date
2018-11
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Publisher
Kampala International University
Abstract
With the focus of the mining companies remaining on profit making, environmental
pollution on the surrounding communities is what has characterized mining in Zambia. It
is for this reason that study aimed at determining the environmental effects of mining on
local communities in the Copperbelt province of Zambia. The study was guided by three
objectives which were translated into three research questions; examine the methods of
mining, establish the environmental effects of mining on local communities and design a
model for the mitigation of environmental effects of mining on local communities in
Kitwe and Mufulira. The study used a case study design by incorporating mining sites
(quadrants). The assessment was made using primary data collected from a sample of 96
key informants and 5 mining sites of 2Km2 from where samples of soil, water and
vegetation where collected. Furthermore vegetation analysis was done basing on the 5
mining sites. The chemical species tested, took into consideration the analysis of Copper,
Cobalt, Lead, Sulpher dioxide, dust, Total Dissolved Solids and Total Suspended Solids
for air, soil and water pollution. The analysis was done using frequency distributions,
trend surface analysis using Geographic Information Systems and laboratory tests of all
chemical species was done and concentrations were compared with World Health
Organization and Zambia Environmental Management Agency limits for air, soil and
water. The results showed that the concentration of the elements (Pollutants) in soil and
air were above the limit and water elements were below the World Health Organization
and Zambia Environmental Management Agency limits. Furthermore, results reveal that
the current mining methods practiced in Kitwe and Mufulira mining towns is
underground and surface mining, which are yet to pose a serious risk and change to the
natural resources in the mining areas /communities since there is continual clearance of
forest cover, erosion, formation of sinkholes and contamination of the environment by
chemicals from mining processes and products. With regards to the effects of mining
environmentally, the finding reveal that the effects are localized and that at local level,
the uncontrolled digging and abandoning of pits has caused destruction of land beyond
economic and technical reclamation. Generally, mining contributes to environmental
degradation, displacement of settlements. The finding further reveals that more needs to
be done by responsible agencies and the state in order to curb environmental degradation
and other problems that arise from mining activities. To this end, targeted interventions
such as sensitization of the general public and formation of new environmental laws and
policies that will promote sustainability of the environment are recommended. The study
recommends the government should enact a legislative instrument that gives local
communities adequate legal backing to fully participate in environmental decisions,
management and protection that affect their lives and development.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of masters of Arts in geography of Kampala International University
Keywords
Environmental effects, Mining on local communities, Kitwe and Mufulira in Copperbelt province, Zambia