The Socio-Economic Impact of Artisanal Mining in Kuru (Naraguta Sheet 168) Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

A study of the sub-surface (Loto) mining activities around Kuru Village- a suburb of Jos City revealed the activities of Artisanal Miners where mining is presently being carried out on an old mining lease belonging to Bisichi Jenta Ltd. This former British mining company carried out mining activities in the 1950’s with intensity in area of coverage which suggests that the company stood out amongst its peers especially with regards to the effective deployment of mechanized mining using hydraulic mining equipments including the hydraulic Jigs, mine Dredges and large haulage machineries. The mining of cassiterite along two relatively adjacent steams in the Kuru area witnessed the exploitation of tin and Columbite initially in alluvial deposits in the downstream stream and graduating into elluvial and subsequently upstream to the primary source of decomposed granite. The hydraulic mining operation then concentrated in the mining of deposits with cut-off grades of more than 0.6g/ton. The present artisanal mining however, is engaged in mining of abandoned low grades (0.1g/ton) of tin and Columbite, which at the present economic value, still provides income to the artisanal miners. The mining activity involves the random sinking of mining pits for the exploitation of the tin mineral, with devastating effect on the environment as opened pits are not covered after mining. The activity which is rudimentary and non-regulated contributes to secondary devastation of the arable land with resultant effects on the land, ecosystem, and health threads to inhabitants. Although the sub-surface mining of tin and Columbite contributes to an average daily earnings of about N250, 000.00 accruing to a total population of about 1200 local miners, the overall after effect lives much to be desired in terms of environmental degradation, potential health hazards and ground water pollution amongst others. The individual average daily earning of about N 20,500 makes economic sense for these miners especially when viewed happening in a national economy with a per capita earning of less than $1 dollar( N165) per day. The artisanal miners by all means deserve a better social contract from government to ensure a better working condition through appropriate mining regulation in line with best practices.