Environmental rights issues in unregulated artisanal small scale mining and its impact on selected communities in the Mpohor district

Abstract

This study examines Environmental rights issues in unregulated artisanal small scale mining and its impact on the communities in the Mpohor District. Mixed methods approach and descriptive survey design were employed in this study. Purposive and simple random procedures were used to select 117 participants. Structured questionnaires and semi-structured interview guide were the instruments used for data collection. SPSS was used to analyze the quantitative data while thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Findings of this study were that unregulated mining activities polluted most of the water bodies within the Districts, led to the destruction of most farmlands and removed the vegetation containing important species supporting mans’ survival. It also increased erosion and loss of viability for agricultural purposes, among other uses. Moreso, unregulated ASM denied residents the right to clean water, health, and arable land, displacing people from their natural residence and inflation occurring which negatively affect the wellbeing of the local population. Also, children engaged in mining depriving them of their education and spreading problems of psychological or behavioural nature such as alcoholism and prostitution. Furthermore, findings on the use of Human Right Based Approach in mitigating unregulated ASM included local people participation, stakeholder’s accountability, sensitisation and awareness creation on human rights and environmental rights and alternative livelihood creation. It was recommended that government embark on education on the effects of unregulated ASM on their health, environment, livelihood and socio-economic impact on posterity. Also, government and responsible stakeholders should create protected areas designated for agricultural purpose alone in the mining communities to ensure the continuity of food crop production. Furthermore, Stringent measures should be enacted and enforced to prevent landowners to still leased lands out. Moreso, the government can develop and invest in legalizing unregulated ASM and enforcing laws and policies to reduce the environmental hazards in the communities.