The Nexus between Unsustainable Mining, Livelihood and Environmental Degradation: A Case of Tin and Columbite Mining on Jos Plateau Nigeria

Abstract

Tin and columbite have been extensively mined on the Jos plateau since the time of the colonial era. Tin and columbite mining were characterized by many unsustainable practices that adversely impacts on the environment. The study examines the nexus between the unsustainable practices associated with the mining activities, the livelihood opportunities it provided to the residents and the environmental degradation that results from the mining activities in the study area. The study is based on field visit to some of the active and abandoned mine sites and reclaimed mine sites. During the fieldwork, observation and measurement were made and recorded. Interviews of some artisanal miners, mine supervisors and staff of mineral processing company were made and the data collected analyzed using content analysis method. The findings of the study reveals that tin and columbite mining activities degrade the land thereby reducing land needed for farming and building of residential houses. Despite the risk associated with it, tin mining provide a lucrative source of livelihood to many natives in the area. The laborers were paid between ₦50,000 to ₦100,000 daily according to some of the people interviewed. Although this depends on the amount of tin extracted, the earning of ₦50,000 daily is more than the national minimum wage of N33,000 per month. Despite the risk associated with mine openings, effort to reclaim the abandoned mine has been very slow. Based on the findings, the study recommends the need for surface mining control and reclamation Act, abandoned mine reclamation fund and the need to tie ecological fund to specific projects that promote ecological restoration, conservation and preservation.