Innovation: No, because I've not identify any

Sector/Industry Application: Agriculture and health

Description: The critical environmental problem in the world, particularly in developing nations caused by pollution of soils, sediments, plants and water by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as arsenic (As), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and others where indiscriminate and illegal mining and other industrial activities take place. The negative health effects as the result of these pollutants such as dam-age of the kidney, lungs, brain and other internal organs, blindness, and even death to humans and livestock as they are exposed to PTEs through different pathways including direct ingestion of contaminated soils, plants and water as well as inhalation of dust (Obaje et al., 2019). Results in adverse pollution of the atmosphere, soil degradation, landscape damage, ground and surface water contamination, flooding, deforestation and an aggregate of health related issues from small scale gold mining operations have proven to be extremely harmful to the environment (G, 2020). Exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust which is known to cause silicosis, cancer and other disease is a major occupational health hazard associated with mining. For example, mining in Sub-Saharan Africa is also associated with higher incidence rates of pulmonary TB and these rates are typically 5 to 6 times higher among miners than in the general population (Gottesfeld et al., 2015). Over the past century, the space with human population growth and global food production has more than kept constant but there are worries about whether population will be able to maintain this space. This is because according to soil science report, it shows that about two-thirds of all agricultural lands show signs of degradation due to mining activities (Encyclopaedia, 2018) Mainly due to the rising price of gold and widespread poverty, practice of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is increasing in many low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is recorded and estimated that about 15 million people work in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) and that perhaps 100 million people worldwide depend on the sector for their livelihood (Rajaee , Obiri, et al., 2015). Activities such as artisanal mining, industrial wastewater discharges, fossil fuel combustion, sewage wastewater and atmospheric deposition of toxic metals which caused by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is increasing the aquatic ecosystem in recent time (Obaje et al., 2019). Artisanal and small-scale mining is mainly carried out using simple tools by miners working as individuals or in groups who operate irregularly. Gold mining is mainly practiced in rural areas where it is seen as being more economically helpful than other activities such as agriculture. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is however more associated with widespread environmental degradation as a result of unskilled mining practices by an unskilled workforce that operates informally (Gottesfeld et al., 2015). In 1970’s in the sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria is one of the countries where mining formed huge source of export prior to oil boom period. Since the oil boom period, national interests in mining started to decline, causing increased sporadic, informal uncoordinated or unmonitored management of the existing and potential mines that resulted into intensified artisanal mining activities in the country (“Effects of Artisanal Gold Mining Activities on Soil Properties in a Part of Southwestern Nigeria Effects of Artisanal Gold Mining Activities on Soil Properties in a Part of Southwestern Nigeria,” 2017) Although, mining sector has been contributing to the economic development of any country endowed by such valuable and natural resources through foreign exchange earnings, employment and improved standard of living. For example, in African, Ghana is the ninth largest gold-producing country in the world. This is because in Ghana, gold deposits are ubiquitous and have resulted in artisanal and small-scale gold mining and large-scale gold mining across the country , but its effect on the environment is unbearable due to lack of rehabilitation (Rajaee, Long, et al., 2015; Taiwo & Awomeso, 2017). The use of mercury as a chemical barrier between gold and stones in the ore by the traditional gold mining, is carried out with human labour as a substitute for machines and tools. At Dongi-Dongi which is around Lore Lindu National Park, the traditional gold mining area of about 70% is located within state forest areas, both protected and conservation forests (Basir-cyio & Nakazawa, 2020). In 2018, it was discovered in Osun states in Ife East local government, a boy of about 15 years of age fell inside the open pit filled with water caused by gold mining activities, and dead. This is a terrible fact that government is not aware about, which the mining industries are causing in the local area. Also, a lot of farmers has been injured while working and walking in their farm by felling inside open pit which are yet to be rehabilitated. In addition, many animals have been found dead inside the uncovered open pit.Research have indicated that mine sites which are around farmlands where chemicals may heaped in fruits and leaves of arable and cash crops, and that soil contamination in such mine sites can cause severe heavy metal contamination of water sources and hazard to humans and animals, if ingested (“Effects of Artisanal Gold Mining Activities on Soil Properties in a Part of Southwestern Nigeria Effects of Artisanal Gold Mining Activities on Soil Properties in a Part of Southwestern Nigeria,” 2017). One of the most important environmental considerations at any mine activities is how to handle these large-scale of waste so as to minimize the long-term impacts and maximize any long-term benefits. Meaning that, there must be total consideration on the effect that any projects will cause on the environment before embarking on it. Such consideration must be on the water in the area, vegetation, plantation, roads, etc., that will be destroyed during the mining process so as to provide the alternative benefits before starting the projects, rather than just giving the farmers in the local area where mining activities is taking place compensation for their losses. The truth is that, the amount given for the losses is less compared to the amount that each farmer will realize from the harvest on the farm land if not destroyed. This is to say that the mining industries do take the advantages of being literate over the illiterate residence (Taiwo & Awomeso, 2017). In order to solve the mining impacts, each mining company should control a study on the influence of mining before extraction and production activities. In Indonesia, several studies like Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) are common and locally known as AMDAL. Although these studies do not guarantee the impacts of mining, it is really a priority for the company to implement such studies rather than just thinking about the money profits of mining. As an example, SIA studies have been carried out by mining companies in Queensland Coal Copabella Central Australia (Yamin, 2018). Conclusively, though gold mining operations or activities both in large-scale or artisanal and small-sale evoke development on the economy of a given country through the provision of employment and minerals that are in demand, raise the development of a more skilled workers and it can lead to placement of capital in health, education and infrastructural. Yet, we can not leave the fact that mining operation pose potential threats to water quality, ecosystem, and human health. The purpose of this study is to fine a proper way in other to manage the excessive waste generated through mining operation if possible, so as to limit or end the wastage of human life especially of those reciting in the local area where mining do take place (Rajaee, Obiri, et al., 2015).

Problem: However, the purpose of this study is to strengthen the awareness that gold mining creates social problem and hopes to increase the level of awareness to the general public, particularly the government, farmers about the hazardous, dangers and consequences of gold mining activities.