Geology

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Geology

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    Geochemical Investigation and Physical Impact Assessment of Artisanal Gold Mining, Kataeregi, North-Central Nigeria
    (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY, 2016-06) Omanayin, Y. A.; Ogunbajo, M. I.; Waziri, N. M.; Ako, T. A.; Shuaibu, A. M.; Alaku, I. O.
    The geochemistry of mine products and stream sediments from Kataeregi area in Northcentral Nigeria was studied with the objective of environmental hazards assessment that is caused by artisanal gold mining activities through field work and laboratory analyses. The field work involves the observation of physical impact of mining on the environment and collection of representative samples along the streams, mined site and tailings within the location of study. The sediment samples were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The result obtained from laboratory analysis was compared with the ideal average crustal concentration of the elements in upper continental crust. Field observation revealed that mining activity has impacted on the environment with land destruction, loss of vegetation and erosion of soils. Geological field mapping show the area is underlain with Migmatite-Gneiss complex, Mica Schist, Granite and Sandstone lithologies. Results from geochemical analysis revealed that sediments are enriched with elements such as Au (0.23ppm), Ag (2.59ppm), Hg (0.21ppm) and Mo (1.14ppm). The presence of Hg in sediments can get consumed directly or indirectly through food chain and passed on to human. Keywords: Artisanal gold mining; Sediment geochemistry; degradation of land; Contamination; North-central Nigeria.
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    Water Quality Investigation within the Neighbourhood of Kataeregi Artisanl Gold Mining Sites, North-Central Nigeria
    (Journal of Information, Education, Science and Technology (JIEST), 2016-12) Omanayin, Y. A.; Ogunbajo, M. I.; Amadi, A. N.; Abdulfatai, I. A.; Mamodu, A.
    Hydrochemical analysis was performed on water samples obtained from streams, mine ponds and hand-dug wells within the neighbourhood of Kataeregi gold mining site, located along Minna- Bida road in North-central Nigeria. The exercise is aimed at ascertaining the suitability of water from streams and hand-dug well for both domestic and irrigational purposes. The parameters analyzed for comprise of Temperature, Acidity – Alkalinity level (pH), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), and concentrations of SO42-, NO3-, HCO3-, Cl-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cu2+, Fe2+, As3+ and Pb2+. Geological field mapping show the area comprise of Migmatite-Gneiss Complex, Schist, Granite and Sandstone lithologies. The concentrations of Fe2+ and Pb2+ far exceed World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) prescribed limits for irrigation, portability and other domestic purposes. The high content of iron could be attributed to the oxidative weathering of pyrite associated with the gold mineralization in the area while the high lead content observed in the area was due to the weathering and subsequent dissolution of galena, discarded by artisanal miners during the exploration for gold. All water bodies in the area belong to earth-alkaline fresh water, which is an indication of water from shallow aquifer system.