Environmental Conditions of Aquatic Mining Sites in the Tshopo Province: a Descriptive Study in the Banalia Territory
Mondele Bolingo John*, Bitoko Litule Antoine, Kakule Lwanga Lwanga, Tagoto Tepungipame Alliance, Basandja Longembe Eugene, Kazadi Malumba Zoe and Panda Lukongo Kitronza
May 03, 2025
DOI : 10.56831/PSMPH-06-211
Abstract
Introduction: Small-scale mining represents a significant portion of global mining activity and is carried out under diverse conditions. This study was conducted to describe the environmental conditions of mining areas in the Banalia region of Tshopo province.
Methods: a descriptive study was conducted among 422 people living in two mining households in the territory of Banalia, selected by the systematic sampling technique, during the period from March 18 to June 14, 2024. Descriptive statistics were carried out using proportion and mean ± SD.
Results: the average age of the respondents was 38.2 ± 6.9 years; secondary education level (65%), married marital status (46%) and seniority of 10 years or more (81%) were dominant; 89% of the dwellings were tents, the evacuation of fecal matter was done by ordinary pit toilets (55%) and defecation in the watercourse (40%); the most represented sources of drinking water were surface water (50%) and natural springs (39%), 80% of the population did not treat water. The vast majority of miners drank alcoholic beverages (84%) and 63% were smokers, unprotected sexual intercourse was dominant (91%).
Conclusion: Mining homes are characterized by an unsanitary and polluted physical environment and depraved behavior of the occupants, which constitute health risk factors. Specific preventive measures are necessary in mining homes.
Keywords: Assessment; environment; aquatic mining center; Banalia; DRC
References
- Hinton JJ, Veiga MM and Beinhoff C. “Women and Artisanal Mining: Gender Roles and the Road Ahead”. The World Bank (2003).
- Yakovleva N. “Corporate Social Responsibility in the Mining Industries”. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management (2007).
- United Nations Environment Programme. “Practical Guide: Reducing Mercury Use in the Artisanal Gold Mining and Panning Sector”. Geneva: United Nations Environment Programme (2012).
- Donoghue A. “Occupational health hazards in mining: an overview”. Occupational Medicine 54.5 (2004): 283-289.
- Mthembu S, Hlongwa M and Shongwe M. “The impact of informal settlements on health outcomes: a case study of informal settlements in South Africa”. BMC Public Health 19.1 (2019): 1234.
- Lissau A., et al. “HIV and tuberculosis among miners in South Africa: an emerging health crisis”. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 18.3 (2014): 346-353.
- Pommier de Santi V., et al. “Malaria in French Guiana linked to illegal gold mining”. Emerging Infectious Diseases 22.2 (2016): 344-346.
- Calys-Tagoe BN., et al. “Injury profiles associated with artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Tarwwa, Ghana”. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 12.7 (2015): 7922-37.
- Long NR, Renne EP and Basu N. “Understanding the social context of the ASGM sector in Ghana: A qualitative description of the demographic, health, and nutritional characteristics of a small-scale gold mining community in Ghana”. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 12 (2015): 12679-12696.
- International Labor Organization. “The burden of gold: child labor in small-scale mines and quarries”. World of Work 54 (2005): 16-20.
- Cirimwami L, Baguma G and Mushagalusa O. Mining and biodiversity: the case of Twangiza Mining in eastern DRC (2016).
- Mangambu Mokoso JD, Asimbo Bondoo N and Ekele Mbenga R. “Perspectives on the Environmental Impacts of Semi-Industrial Mining Projects in the Congo Basin: Case of the Aruwimi River (Basoko Territory, DR Congo)”. European Scientific Journal, ESJ 17.29 (2021): 328.
- International Labour Organization. “Mining and Child Labor”. Geneva: ILO (2021).
- Hilson G and Pardie S. “Artisanal Gold Mining and Rural Development Policies in Ghana”. Resour Policy 57 (2018): 87-94.
- Banchirigah SM. “Challenges with Eradicating Illegal Mining in Ghana: A Perspective from the Grassroots”. Resour Policy 32.1-2 (2017): 29-38.
- Human Rights Watch. “A Poisonous Mix: Child Labor, Mercury, and Artisanal Gold Mining in Mali”. (2019).
- World Health Organization. “Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Mining Communities”. WHO Report (2020).
- UNICEF. “Drinking Water and Sanitation in Mining Areas of the DRC”. UNICEF Report (2021).
- Bose-O'Reilly S, Lettmeier B and Roider G. “Mercury Exposure and Health Impacts among Individuals in the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Community: A Comprehensive Review”. About Health Perspective 116.1 (2018): 1-9.
- Pierrot J, Underne M and Kuchcik L. “Tobacco: what is the health risk?”. Rev Prat 62.3 (2012): 333-6.
- Hill C and Laplache A. “Smoking and mortality: epidemiological aspects”. Weekly epidemiological bulletin 22.23 (2003): 98-100.
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). “HIV and Mining Communities”. UNAIDS Report (2021).
- Corno L and de Walque D. “Mines, Migration and HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa”. J Afr Econ 19.1 (2018): 33-73.