Chacha, Kisiri T.
(2017)
Assessment of the Impact of Small Scale Mining on Land Resources in Tarime District, Tanzania.
Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.
Abstract
The study assessed the effects of artisanal mining on land, water and forest resources conducted in Tarime Districts (Mara Region). The study went further and examined the adaption and coping mechanisms of the surrounding communities to the impacts of artisanal and small scale mining on natural resources where simple random and purposive sampling techniques was used. The study used observation, documentary reviews, interview and questionnaires to collect the data required. The data was analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and thematic content method. It was found that artisanal and small scale mining activities contributed to land surface and soil destruction, erosion, land pollution, water pollution, outbreak of diseases, occupational diseases (silicosis, mercury poisoning), respiratory problems, deforestation, death and injuries. Land for cultivation has greatly diminished; and now there is great competition for agricultural land and for grazing of livestock. Furthermore it was found that the local communities used the following coping mechanisms to protect themselves from poverty such as artisanal and small scale mining in the dry periods, carrying people and goods using motor cycles and cultivating near rivers and far from the mining areas. It is fairly concluded that, notwithstanding the contribution of the ASM to the local and national economy at large, the ASM have a negative impacts to the environment of the neighboring communities. The situation experienced by the ASM provides the ground the following recommendation to be taken into consideration. Introduction of education and training to the ASM and neighboring communities, introduction of capacity building through financing programs and capitalization, supply modern and technological equipments.
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |