ASSESSMENT OF TRACE METALS CONTAMINATION ON SOIL FROM ABANDONED ARTISANAL TIN MINING PADDOCK IN BARKIN-LADI AREA OF PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

The overwhelming rate of environmental degradation activated by the cruel mining operation associated with the unguided and incessant activities of artisans instigates this study. This study aimed at assessing the extents of trace metals contamination on soil resulting from the abandoned tin mining operation in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. The abandoned mine site was delineated, and three samples were taken from the soil with respect to 0-15cm and 16-30cm horizontal depth. The three samples were tested and analyzed for heavy metals concentration such as Pb, Cr, As, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Fe at the Analytical Laboratory of the National Metallurgical Development Agency, Jos Nigeria. The result was subjected to the tolerable standard limit of the Federal Ministry of Environment for metals constituent in soil. Findings from the study reveal that the soil samples in both 0-15cm and 16-30cm depth show concentrations that were far above the limit set by the Federal Ministry of Environment of Nigeria for Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Ar, with the exception of Fe. The study recommends among others that; to ensure sustainable management of minerals with enforceable regulations in a sector dominated by stray mines, strengthening of current policy using command and control measures built on accountability and polluter pay principles to avert cases of dead trap and soil pollution as well as aesthetic destruction of the landscape is the way forward.