Safe Mining Assessment of Artisanal Barite Mining Activities in Nigeria

Publication Type

Journal Article

Name of Author

David Oluwasegun Afolayan, African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Nigeria
Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Nigeria
Carrick McAfee Eggleston, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Adelana Rasak Adetunji, African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Nigeria
Mingjiang Tao, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Richard Kwasi Amankwah, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Publication Date (Issue Year)

2021

Journal Name

Mining

Abstract

Barite, used in mud formulation, is mined in several places to support the industry. However, there is insufficient literature on the downside of mining and associated hazards, especially in the artisanal barite mining sector. This paper contains three parts. The initial section reviews major causes of mining accidents and health hazards in Nigeria. The second section examines existing but weak institutional frameworks and policies for artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Nigeria. In the third part, data from questionnaires and heavy metal contamination assessment are compared with health and environmental standards to identify and characterize hazards. It was observed that 54% had health challenges traceable to illicit drugs, and 54% were ignorant about the use of safety kits. The UV-Vis, AAS, and ICP-MS analyses confirmed lead, barium, zinc, copper, and iron in the water samples. Index of geoaccumulation (Igeo) and contamination factor (CF) show that water samples are moderate to highly polluted by Pb²⁺, Ba²⁺, and highly contaminated. The chronic daily intake assessment and health quotient analysis revealed that the accumulation of lead and barium is possible and can initiate chronic diseases in humans over a long time. Certain safe mining protocols and controls are recommended.

Keywords

mining hazard, safe mining, miners, artisanal barite mining, mining sites

Rsif Scholar Name

David Oluwasegun Afolayan

Rsif Scholar Nationality

Nigeria

Cohort

Cohort 1

Thematic Area

Minerals, Mining and Materials Engineering

Africa Host University (AHU)

African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Nigeria

Funding Statement

Authors acknowledge the support of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), USA, African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Nigeria, and Pan African Material Institute (PAMI), Nigeria.

Recommended Citation

Afolayan, D. O., Onwualu, A. P., Eggleston, C. M., Adetunji, A. R., Tao, M., & Amankwah, R. K. (2021). Safe Mining Assessment of Artisanal Barite Mining Activities in Nigeria. Mining, 1 (2), 224-240. https://doi.org/10.3390/MINING1020015