The Socio-Economic Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Developing Countries, 2003
Migori District is located in Nyanza Province of Western Kenya (Fig. 17.1). It lies in the southe... more Migori District is located in Nyanza Province of Western Kenya (Fig. 17.1). It lies in the southern part of the Winam Gulf in Lake Victoria. Here, the gold that occurs in the quartz veins of the Archeaean rocks of the Nyanzian Group was first discovered in 1920. Although episodes of large-scale mining occurred in Nyanza until the mid-1960s, artisanal mining has persisted to date. Currently, mining takes place in the entire district of Rongo in the north, around Migori town in the south, and at Masara and Macalder in the west. Once auriferous quartz veins have been extracted from host rocks, ore is crushed and panned, after which mercury is added to the tiny gold particulates. The processed gold is then sold to local buyers, who are either agents or self-employed in the business. Finally, gold is sold to dealers in Nairobi, although some product lands in the hands of smugglers, who, in turn, transport it out of the country through illegal channels. In Kenya, artisanal gold mining takes place on both farmland and homesteads in the western part of the country; in the Migori, Siaya and Kakamega districts; and in the Turkana district in the north-west. The number of people involved in mining activities countrywide fluctuates from 30,000 during peak periods, to 10,000 during low periods. Despite being renowned for featuring periodic gold rushes, most of the country’s sites are ill-equipped to endure the pressures of rapid population growth, particularly during periods when newlydiscovered gold reefs are intensively worked. Workers are quite mobile, frequently migrating from one mine site to another, depending on the availability of gold. Once a site has been exhausted, water logged, or is considered too dangerous to work, miners simply move to new prospective mining regions. This, however, causes substantial environmental damages. Frequent movement also disrupts family life, particularly children’s education and farming activities. The chapter examines the socio-economic aspects of gold mining and related activities in Migori District, Kenya. It describes the background of mine workers,
ABSTRACT Africa and the Middle East consist of a rich geodiversity, which is regrettably not well... more ABSTRACT Africa and the Middle East consist of a rich geodiversity, which is regrettably not well known by the public. This is due partly to limited research and studies undertaken in geoheritage and geoconservation in these parts of world, especially those with the intent to explore, inventory and valorize such inherent geodiversity. With the aim to improve this situation, the African Geoparks Network (AGN) was created to increase the awareness of the local population and decision makers regarding the need for sustainable use and management of geoheritage in particular for the benefit of local socio-economic sustainable development targets through the promotion of both geotourism and the creation of unique geoparks.
Early Warning Systems for Natural Disaster …, Jan 1, 2003
Abstract Inadequate information, poor infrastructure and lack of sufficient human and financial r... more Abstract Inadequate information, poor infrastructure and lack of sufficient human and financial resources are hampering the implementation of early warning systems in Africa. Most African countries rely heavily on donor funds to carry out research and modelling ...
The Socio-Economic Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Developing Countries, 2003
Migori District is located in Nyanza Province of Western Kenya (Fig. 17.1). It lies in the southe... more Migori District is located in Nyanza Province of Western Kenya (Fig. 17.1). It lies in the southern part of the Winam Gulf in Lake Victoria. Here, the gold that occurs in the quartz veins of the Archeaean rocks of the Nyanzian Group was first discovered in 1920. Although episodes of large-scale mining occurred in Nyanza until the mid-1960s, artisanal mining has persisted to date. Currently, mining takes place in the entire district of Rongo in the north, around Migori town in the south, and at Masara and Macalder in the west. Once auriferous quartz veins have been extracted from host rocks, ore is crushed and panned, after which mercury is added to the tiny gold particulates. The processed gold is then sold to local buyers, who are either agents or self-employed in the business. Finally, gold is sold to dealers in Nairobi, although some product lands in the hands of smugglers, who, in turn, transport it out of the country through illegal channels. In Kenya, artisanal gold mining takes place on both farmland and homesteads in the western part of the country; in the Migori, Siaya and Kakamega districts; and in the Turkana district in the north-west. The number of people involved in mining activities countrywide fluctuates from 30,000 during peak periods, to 10,000 during low periods. Despite being renowned for featuring periodic gold rushes, most of the country’s sites are ill-equipped to endure the pressures of rapid population growth, particularly during periods when newlydiscovered gold reefs are intensively worked. Workers are quite mobile, frequently migrating from one mine site to another, depending on the availability of gold. Once a site has been exhausted, water logged, or is considered too dangerous to work, miners simply move to new prospective mining regions. This, however, causes substantial environmental damages. Frequent movement also disrupts family life, particularly children’s education and farming activities. The chapter examines the socio-economic aspects of gold mining and related activities in Migori District, Kenya. It describes the background of mine workers,
ABSTRACT Africa and the Middle East consist of a rich geodiversity, which is regrettably not well... more ABSTRACT Africa and the Middle East consist of a rich geodiversity, which is regrettably not well known by the public. This is due partly to limited research and studies undertaken in geoheritage and geoconservation in these parts of world, especially those with the intent to explore, inventory and valorize such inherent geodiversity. With the aim to improve this situation, the African Geoparks Network (AGN) was created to increase the awareness of the local population and decision makers regarding the need for sustainable use and management of geoheritage in particular for the benefit of local socio-economic sustainable development targets through the promotion of both geotourism and the creation of unique geoparks.
Early Warning Systems for Natural Disaster …, Jan 1, 2003
Abstract Inadequate information, poor infrastructure and lack of sufficient human and financial r... more Abstract Inadequate information, poor infrastructure and lack of sufficient human and financial resources are hampering the implementation of early warning systems in Africa. Most African countries rely heavily on donor funds to carry out research and modelling ...
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Papers by monica A Omulo