Radiological Implications of Artisanal Gold Mining Activities in Gababiyu, Minna Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Radiological contamination of the atmosphere and human environment due to anthropogenic activities has been associated with significant human health challenges. 12 surface soil samples collected at random from Gababiyu artisanal gold mining site in Minna were assessed for their radiological contents using gamma spectrometric technique which employs NaI (Tl) detector. Specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K ranged from 10.27±2.88 to 61.45±4.68 Bq kg-1, 32.67±1.93 to 83.00±2.24 Bq kg-1 and 82.48±3.00 to 281.65±9.49 Bq kg-1 respectively, with mean values of 31.92±6.41, 63.57±2.67 and 198.91±1.38 Bq kg-1 in sequence. Computed average absorbed dose rate at 1 m above ground was 61.44 nGy h-1 with corresponding mean annual dose equivalent of 0.07 mSv y-1 and average excess lifetime cancer risk of 0.26 × 10-3. These values were all below respective safety limits set by UNSCEAR. Results of this investigation indicated minimal radiological risk associated with mining in the artisanal goldmine in Minna Metropolis.