Over time, it has been seen that mining operations have a detrimental impact on local farming communities, fisheries, and livestock grazing areas. The process of extracting economically valuable and practical minerals from earthly reserves is known as mining. The mining industry is underregulated, which allows for illicit mining operations despite the industry’s potential to yield substantial profits. Depending on the kind of mining, these operations can have a variety of negative consequences on agriculture, including competition for land usage and control, contamination of waterways, and heavy metal exposure for livestock and crops.
Nigerian mining operations have a big impact on the social, economic, and environmental environments of the surrounding towns. Although mining can boost local economies and create jobs, it also frequently causes problems like social unrest, environmental damage, and relocation.
Approximately one million people work in this industry, mostly in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), which is a major source of revenue for many households. For example, gold mining has made significant financial contributions to local economies in areas like as Osun and Niger states. Nigeria exported $500 million worth of gold in 2021, demonstrating the financial advantages that mining may have for nearby people.
But the surge in mining activity frequently results in evictions and land disputes. Numerous communities encounter difficulties. When big mining firms, occasionally without sufficient compensation or consultation, purchase land for operations. Conflicts and a feeling of disenfranchisement among the impacted groups have resulted from this.
Environmental issues also play a key role in defining the impact of mining on communities. Inadequate mining methods can cause deforestation, soil erosion, and water contamination, which can have an impact on local health and agricultural output. According to reports, uncontrolled mining operations in Nigeria have severely harmed the ecosystem, especially in areas like Zamfara where lead pollution from mining operations has had catastrophic effects on human health.
Acknowledging these obstacles, the Nigerian government and other relevant parties are concentrating more on encouraging community involvement and making sure mining corporations have a good impact on local development.
