The Environmental Impacts of Small Scale Mining on Water Resources.

A Case Study of River Jimi and River Nyame at Obuasi and its Environs
Presented By DAVID GYEMFI

MSc Thesis Proposal:

Department Of Theoretical And Applied Biology For Award of Masters of Science in Environmental Science
5/12/2013

Background Of Study
The interrelationships between the environments and humans, employing various means of technologies to exploit available resources interrupt the environment (Ntibrey B. K., 2001). Such technological advancement has enabled the progressive and extensive exploitation and utilization of resources such as gold, which has inadvertently impacted negatively on water resources (Shoko and Love, 2005).
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Background Of Study Cont.

These activities has repercussions on the general health,

employment, mortality and morbidity rates (Ravengai et. al.,

2005). The very existence of man is dependent on the quality and soundness of water for domestic purposes as well as for economic activities.

A prerequisite of sustainable development is to ensure

uncontaminated streams, rivers and lakes.

Problem Statement
The emissions and sometimes spillage of poisonous chemicals during the ore refining process pollute streams . This, in turn, endangers fish and other aquatic life. Air quality has also deteriorated in mining areas as a result of the emissions of poisonous chemicals such as, arsenic oxide from milling plants during certain stages of the ore refining process.
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Problem Statement Cont.

The harmful gases when produced in excess adverse effect
the health of workers and people residing in mining areas, causing high incidence of upper respiratory tract diseases such as asthma, tuberculosis, bronchitis, among others.

Such gases also adversely affect the natural vegetation

when it comes into direct contact with trees and grass

Research Objectives
The ultimate aim of this study is to investigate the environmental impacts of small scale mining on river Jimi and

river Nyame at Obuasi and its environs .

The result of this study will help to identify the:

Concentration of Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium, zinc, Manganese and Lead in sample rivers levels of phosphate (PO4), sulphate (SO4) and chloride (Cl) in the rivers samples. the level of pH, total dissolved solids and oxygen in the rivers samples. To make recommendation.

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Research Questions
What are the concentration of Mercury, Arsenic and Iron in
river Jimi and river Nyame?

What are the Levels of phosphate (PO4), sulphate (SO4) and

chloride (Cl) in the river samples?

What are the level of pH, total dissolved solids and oxygen
in the rivers samples?

What recommendation can be make to impact the potential

health and environmental risk in the mining communities.

Materials and Methods

Field instruments will be calibrated according to the Standard
Method for measurement of water The water samples will be taken monthly in duplicates from river Jimi and river Nyame at Obuasi and its environs The samples will be collected in sterile plastic bottles and

transported to the laboratory for testing.

The accuracy and precision of the analytical techniques will be assessed by analyses of reference materials and reagent blank before the samples will be analyse The results will be analyse using Microsoft Excel and results
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compared.

Dissertation Plan
Task
October November December January February

Proposal Writing Background

Literature Review Materials and Methods Laboratory Testing Findings and Analysis Preparation of Final Report
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Outcome and Dissemination

The results of this study would inform policy interventions to
help reduce the health and environmental problems of river pollution associated with small-scale mining. Increase productivity since the health hazards of river pollution would be reduced.

Environmental effects which are mostly very costly to

mitigate, would be reduced Thereby reducing government spending, maintaining good health and protecting the river bodies. The research will also serve as source of information for other
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researchers.

References
Ntibrey, B.K. (2001). Small-scale mining of precious minerals in Ghana, A strategy to improve environmental performance. (Unpublished M.Sc. thesis). School of Mines, Institute of Mining and Mineral Engineering. Ravengai, S., Love, D., Gratwicke, B., Mandingaisa, O. and Owen, R. J. S. 2005. Impact of iron duke pyrite mine on water chemistry and aquatic life- Mazowe Valley (2nd ed. pp. 219-228). Zimbabwe:Water SA. Shoko, D.S.M. and Love, D. (2005). Gold panning legislation in Zimbabwe what potentials for sustainable management of river resources In: Mathew, K. and Nhapi, I. (Eds.) Water and Wastewater Management for Development Countries (pp. 499-512). London: IWA Publishing.

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THANK YOU

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