Perils of life and living in unregulated mining communities

As mining activities thrive in various communities nationwide, host communities have continued to raise concerns over short and long-term threats that unregulated activities pose to their health. Beyond the deafening noise from stone blasting, the devastation of their immediate environment has made them apprehensive of what the future holds, ERNEST NZOR reports.

In Mpape, a peri-urban settlement on the outskirts of Abuja, residents, including Gabriel Oko, are experiencing severe disruptions to their everyday lives due to incessant noise from nearby quarries.

Oko, 45, whose three-bedroom bungalow has been caked by dust from a nearby quarry, described the situation in his community as overwhelming.

He explained that noise from heavy machinery and stone blasting disrupts their sleep at night and their entire daily routine.

“What began as a minor nuisance has escalated into a substantial quality-of-life issue for local families,” he said.

Mr Oko is not exposed to this daily challenge in isolation as environmental challenges created by stone quarrying spread beyond Abuja. Many communities nationwide are grappling with alarming rates of environmental degradation and socio-economic disruption linked to the mining industry.

Reducing raw materials such as rocks and metals to manageable sizes generates significant dust and debris, covering nearby homes and agricultural plants. The dust especially poses substantial threats to the respiratory health of the residents.

Dust from quarrying activities is known to cause serious respiratory issues, and residents exposed to high levels of dust risk medical disorders, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and other severe health complications.

Also, the contamination of water sources due to mining activities poses severe health risks, while the demolition of homes for quarry sites has displaced many families, exacerbating socio-economic issues.

Furthermore, the incessant noise and vibrations from mining sites disrupt residents’ daily lives, diminish their quality of life, and affect local businesses.

That said, even the physically demanding nature of quarry activities and inadequate safety measures often result in injuries among manual stone crushers. This situation strains the already overburdened healthcare system and undermines the financial stability of affected families.

The impact of manual stone crushing on local communities is profound, raising ethical questions about economic necessity and environmental sustainability.

Ibrahim Musa, a 26-year-old miner from Nasarawa State, while reflecting on the difficult choices faced by operators in the industry, said: “We know that mining harms the environment, but what choice do we have? This is our only means of livelihood.”

Musa’s perspective captured a broader issue within the mining community, where economic considerations overshadow long-term environmental consequences.

Acknowledging limitations inherent in their vocation/fight for survival, Musa expressed the need for key stakeholders to adopt healthier practices for the sake of the miners and the good health of the environment and future generations.

He specifically underscored the urgent need for sustainable practices and alternative economic opportunities for those reliant on stone quarrying. He stressed that without viable alternatives, the communities will remain trapped in environmental degradation and economic hardship.

“The consequences of stone mining extend beyond the health of involved individuals as the constant noise and vibrations from quarrying activities interfere with the daily life of host communities, affecting their overall socio-economic fabric.

“The demolition of homes for mining sites exacerbates social instability and increases poverty levels. Families displaced from their homes face challenges in accessing education, healthcare, and other essential services, further entrenching cycles of disadvantages,” Musa submitted.

Health risks associated with stone mining are extensive and include severe respiratory issues, musculoskeletal injuries, skin conditions, hearing loss, and waterborne diseases. Moreover, heavy metal exposure from mining can lead to severe health issues, including cancer and kidney damage, raising alarming public health concerns.

A long-time resident of Mpape, Mr Umenwa Oko, insisted that prolonged exposure to high noise levels could lead to stress, hypertension, and sleep disturbances.

He explained that because of the challenges faced by his community due to noise and other environmental pollutions, community meetings were scheduled to explore ways of mitigating negative impacts foisted on them by quarrying.

Presently, their worries are yet to receive any form of attention from perpetrators; hence, they are calling for stricter regulations on the operational hours of the practitioners, as well as the deployment of noise reduction technologies.

They are also seeking the government’s intervention in forcing miners to obey “quiet hours” to minimise disturbances during early mornings and late evenings and invest in noise-reducing machinery and techniques.

Joyce Ayuba of the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Engineering, Plateau State Polytechnic, has been vocal about the need for decisive government action to regulate the mining sector.

She emphasised the importance of conducting thorough environmental and social impact assessments to address growing concerns surrounding the industry.

“The current state of mining operations in the country lacks adequate oversight, leading to severe consequences for the environment and local communities. There is a need to implement sustainable practices in Nigeria’s extractive industries. The government must enforce rigorous regulations to ensure that mining activities are environmentally friendly and socially responsible,” she said.

She added: “Research indicates that approximately 19.3 per cent of the local population relies on contaminated water sources with 24.4 per cent experiencing waterborne diseases. The presence of harmful metals in water poses long-term health risks, particularly for children, necessitating immediate and effective interventions.”

As the challenges faced by mining communities continue to grow, finding solutions that balance economic development and environmental protection has become increasingly critical.

According to the Permanent Secretary, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe, because of the nexus between human wellness and environmental quality, there is a need for stricter emission regulations, cleaner technologies, and public awareness campaigns to tackle air and water quality challenges in the country.

For the President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Prof. Akinade Olatunji, there must be stringent regulations for mining operations to ensure adherence to environmental and safety standards.

He stressed the importance of providing accurate, scientific information to guide informed decision-making and policy development.

According to him, the proliferation of stone mining quarries in Nigeria presents significant health risks, as well as, environmental challenges, while addressing such concerns requires concerted efforts from the government, industry stakeholders, and local communities.

“By implementing stricter regulations, promoting sustainable practices, exploring alternative livelihoods and enhancing public awareness, Nigeria can work towards a healthier and more sustainable future.

To achieve this, stakeholders in the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society also reiterated the need for collaboration to develop comprehensive strategies that prioritise the well-being of communities and the environment.

This approach, they maintained, will not only safeguard public health, but also ensure that economic opportunities are pursued responsibly and in line with broader sustainability goals.

According to Mr Anjack Augustine of the Department of Chemistry, Sarwuan Tarka University (former Federal University of Agriculture), Makurdi, Benue State, the pressing issue of risk resulting from increased mining activities in the country must be addressed right away.

Admitting the urgent need for regular monitoring and effective remediation strategies, he stressed that environmental authorities must prioritise the assessment of mining sites to identify contamination levels and implement cleanup efforts.

He said: “As the demand for natural resources escalates, mining activities have proliferated across many regions of the country, often leaving a trail of environmental devastation.

“One of the most worrying consequences of these operations is the proliferation of abandoned mining ponds. These ponds, remnants of intense mining processes, pose significant threats to local ecosystems and the health of nearby communities. Mining activities can devastate the environment, disrupt landscapes, and contaminate water sources.”

He continued: “Abandoned mining ponds collect toxic run-off and can become stagnant, serving as hazardous legacies for local populations. This situation raises serious public health concerns, particularly with regards to chronic heavy metal toxicity from human exposure to contaminated water and soil.”

Anjack decried that mining operations often overlook the long-term environmental impacts, adding that abandoned mining ponds can contain heavy metals and other pollutants that seep into surrounding soil and water systems.

“Once mining operations cease, these bodies of water become stagnant, creating ideal conditions for harmful substances to concentrate. As these toxins remain untreated, they endanger both local wildlife and human populations reliant on these water sources.

“The potential health risks associated with exposure to abandoned mining activities are alarming. Human contact with contaminated water and soil can occur through various channels, particularly through the food chain. Crops irrigated with water from these ponds or grown in contaminated soil can accumulate heavy metals, leading to serious health problems upon consumption.”

Anjack further emphasised the gravity of the situation, when he informed that heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic can cause severe health issues, including neurological disorders, and developmental problems in children as well as increased cancer risks.

“The longer communities are exposed to these contaminants, the more vulnerable they become. We have always trusted our crops but now, we worry every time we eat. We can’t see the toxins, but we know they are there. It is terrifying.”

According to stakeholders, mining problems in the country are exacerbated by the lack of resources for proper monitoring and testing of water and soil quality.

“Many communities do not have access to the necessary tools to assess the safety of their water sources. Restoring contaminated areas is not just about cleaning up; it is about reclaiming the land for future generations.

“Successful remediation can help communities return to safe farming practices and improve their overall quality of life,” Anjack added.