By Beatrice Momodu-Kamara

Author

In Sierra Leone, a nation richly endowed with mineral resources, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) stands as both a cornerstone of economic survival and a significant environmental dilemma. The mining communities in Sierra Leone epitomize this dual nature, where the earth yields diamonds and gold that promise prosperity yet pose profound challenges to sustainable development. This introduction delves deep into the fabric of ASM in Sierra Leone, exploring its integral role in the nation’s economy and the pressing environmental consequences that threaten its water resources and ecological health.

Economic Lifeline of the Mining Communities in Sierra Leone

The narrative of ASM in Sierra Leone is deeply interwoven with the history and economy of the mining communities in Sierra Leone. This region, marked by its vast mineral wealth, hosts hundreds of small-scale mining operations that form the backbone of its local economy. For thousands of residents, these mines are not merely pits in the ground but wellsprings of opportunity in an area where economic alternatives are scarce. ASM employs an estimated 70,000 individuals in the district, underscoring its significance as a major employment driver. Beyond mere employment, the sector is pivotal in sustaining local economies, with the mining activities contributing significantly to the livelihoods of communities through direct and indirect means.

Mining operations, predominantly those targeting diamonds and gold, have historically been the lifeblood of many families here, offering a path to economic stability and community development. The financial benefits are tangible: miners and their communities gain from direct sales and the broader economic activities that mining stimulates, including trade and services. This economic injection is crucial in a country striving to overcome the challenges of poverty and post-conflict recovery.

Environmental Costs of Prosperity

However, the economic gains from ASM are not without substantial costs. The environmental impact of mining in the mining communities in Sierra Leone is profound and multifaceted, affecting land, water, and biodiversity. Central to these concerns is water pollution—a critical issue given the reliance of local communities on natural water sources for drinking, agriculture, and daily chores. ASM practices, particularly those involving the extraction and processing of gold, introduce toxic substances like mercury and cyanide into the environment. These chemicals are not only deadly toxins but also agents of long-term ecological change, threatening the health of aquatic life and the safety of water for human consumption.

The use of mercury in gold amalgamation, a common practice in ASM, exemplifies the severe environmental implications. This process releases significant amounts of mercury into rivers and streams, leading to contamination that extends far beyond the immediate mining sites. The consequences are dire: mercury accumulation in the food chain, diminished water quality, and increased health risks to populations exposed to contaminated water and fish. Additionally, the physical alteration of landscapes through mining activities exacerbates soil erosion, leads to deforestation, and disrupts the natural flow of water bodies, further degrading the habitat quality and resilience of ecosystems.

The Conflict Between Growth and Sustainability

The dichotomy between economic growth and environmental sustainability in ASM presents a complex challenge for Sierra Leone. On one hand, the sector is an indispensable economic engine, crucial for poverty alleviation and social stability. On the other hand, its unsustainable practices pose a significant threat to the environmental resources that the country and its people depend on for the future. This conflict is at the heart of policy debates and development strategies in the region.

Addressing this challenge requires a nuanced understanding of the socio-economic dynamics and environmental stakes. It involves reconciling the immediate economic benefits of ASM with the long-term health of the environment. Solutions must be crafted that can support the livelihoods dependent on mining while protecting and restoring the ecological systems that sustain life in the region. The path forward includes stricter regulatory frameworks, the introduction of sustainable mining technologies, community education and engagement in environmental stewardship, and the development of economic alternatives that can reduce the dependency on mining.

This introduction sets the stage for a deeper exploration into the specific impacts, challenges, and potential solutions for ASM in Sierra Leone, particularly focusing on the critical water issues in the mining communities in Sierra Leone. The following sections will delve into detailed case studies, policy analyses, and strategic recommendations that aim to harmonize the economic imperatives with environmental conservation, ensuring a sustainable future for all stakeholders involved.

The Environmental Toll of ASM

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Sierra Leone’s epitomizes a grave environmental concern, particularly regarding the pollution of water bodies—a fundamental resource for the survival and well-being of local communities. The environmental degradation associated with ASM not only compromises the quality of water but also threatens the region’s biodiversity, posing substantial health risks to both human populations and wildlife.

The mining communities in Sierra Leone, renowned for its rich deposits of diamonds and gold, experiences significant water pollution due to ASM activities. One of the most prevalent forms of pollution is the contamination of rivers and streams with heavy metals and other hazardous chemicals. These pollutants primarily originate from the processing techniques used in extracting minerals, notably gold.

Mercury is extensively used in the gold extraction process, particularly in amalgamation. This process involves mixing liquid mercury with crushed ore to bind with the gold particles, forming an amalgam. The amalgam is then heated to evaporate the mercury, leaving behind the gold. This method, while effective for gold recovery, releases significant amounts of mercury vapor into the atmosphere, which eventually deposits in water bodies. Studies, such as those referenced by the Minamata Convention on Mercury, indicate that mercury contamination can lead to methylmercury accumulation in aquatic ecosystems, where it bioaccumulates and biomagnifies through the food chain, posing severe health risks to wildlife and humans alike.

Cyanide is another toxic chemical commonly used in gold mining for ore extraction. The use of cyanide solutions in gold leaching processes leads to contamination of surface water and groundwater. Cyanide inhibits cellular respiration in aquatic organisms, leading to acute and chronic toxic effects on aquatic life. The discharge of cyanide-laden waste into water bodies can lead to large-scale mortality of fish and other aquatic organisms, disrupting aquatic ecosystems and reducing biodiversity.

The impact of ASM on water quality extends beyond chemical contamination. The physical process of mining often leads to increased sediment loads in water bodies, which can lead to siltation of rivers and streams. This sedimentation can reduce water clarity, decrease photosynthesis, and smother aquatic habitats, thereby adversely affecting the diverse aquatic life that depends on these habitats.

The degradation of water quality has a cascading effect on biodiversity. Pollutants such as mercury and cyanide not only kill aquatic life but also affect terrestrial biodiversity by contaminating water sources used by land animals and plants. The disruption of these ecosystems can lead to a decline in species diversity and disrupt the food web, impacting even higher trophic levels.

Specific studies and reports have documented the environmental impacts of ASM in regions like the mining communities in Sierra Leone. For instance, research conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency of Sierra Leone and various international bodies, such as the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), highlights the severe implications of ASM on environmental health. These studies provide empirical data showing elevated levels of heavy metals and cyanide in water samples taken from mining areas. For example, the “Global Mercury Assessment” by UNEP cites significant mercury emissions from ASM sectors worldwide, noting the persistent nature of mercury pollution and its long-term ecological and health consequences.

Furthermore, local studies, such as those by the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources in Sierra Leone, have identified specific sites where ASM activities have led to acute water pollution problems, necessitating urgent remedial actions. These reports advocate for the adoption of cleaner mining technologies and the enforcement of stringent environmental regulations to mitigate the adverse impacts of mining activities on the environment.

The environmental toll of ASM in Sierra Leone’s mining communities in Sierra Leone is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention and action. By addressing the use of hazardous chemicals like mercury and cyanide and implementing sustainable mining practices, there is potential to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of ASM, thereby protecting water quality, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring the health and safety of local communities.

Proposed Policy and Administrative Recommendations:

1. Sustainability Certification: A Sustainability certification is a formal recognition awarded to organizations, products, or services that meet specific environmental, social, and economic criteria related to sustainability. These certifications are typically issued by a third-party organization that sets and maintains the standards for what constitutes sustainable practices within various industries or The certification process often involves an audit or evaluation to verify that the practices of the organization align with established sustainability standards. The

mining sector, large scale and ASM are bound by the Kimberley Process certification (a certification scheme that aims to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds) by ensuring that diamond exports are government-regulated and conflict-free. This was implemented in the aftermath of the civil war; this process requires that all diamond exports from Sierra Leone are accompanied by a Kimberley Process certificate verifying their conflict- free origin. The system has helped to improve the transparency of the diamond trade and foster economic development.

On the same token implementing a sustainability certification scheme in the mining sector to significantly enhance water pollution management will yield gains in the sector. Such a scheme would establish environmental standards, including strict guidelines on water use, pollution control measures, and waste management, ensuring that mining activities minimize their impact on local water bodies. To comply with these certifications, ASM exporters would need to regularly monitor their environmental impacts, including water pollution levels. This continuous monitoring would ensure adherence to environmental standards and enable timely responses to potential pollution incidents.

Furthermore, certification schemes would enhance transparency by requiring companies to report on their environmental practices and impacts. This accountability would encourage better environmental practices and can foster greater trust between mining companies and local communities, regulators, and consumers. To meet certification requirements, mining operations are often motivated to adopt advanced technologies that reduce water pollution, such as more efficient water treatment solutions, recycling processes, and waste reduction techniques.

Lastly, achieving certification can provide a market advantage, as environmentally conscious consumers and investors are increasingly favoring products that are certified sustainable. This market pressure can incentivize wider adoption of sustainable practices across the industry, leading to broader improvements in water pollution control. Overall, a sustainability certification scheme would drive the mining industry towards more environmentally friendly practices, significantly reducing the sector’s impact on water pollution and contributing to the conservation of vital water resources.

1. Efficient resource management: In Line with the Friedman’s Perspective on the social responsibility of business, artisanal mining companies in Sierra Leone should focus on maximizing profitability while adhering to ethical and legal standards to reduce water pollution (Friedman, 1970). This includes investing in efficient resource management technologies that minimize environmental impact, adhering strictly to environmental regulations, maintaining transparency and accountability in environmental practices, advocating for practical environmental regulations, and investing in community relationships. These measures ensure compliance with legal standards, enhance stakeholder trust, and secure the social license to operate, thereby not only ensuring long-term profitability but also contributing to sustainable environmental practices.

• Integrating rigorous internal standards: Artisanal mining operations can benefit significantly by integrating rigorous internal standards for environmental management, mirroring the broader trends seen in global supply chains where sustainability becomes a competitive advantage; Webb

(2012). By investing in cleaner technologies and improving waste management practices, artisanal mines can not only comply with environmental

1. Invest in technology that minimizes water use and
2. Collaborate with other players in the industry to share best practices and develop joint pollution control
3. Maintain transparency in their operations by regularly publishing detailed reports on their environmental
4. Engage in continuous dialogue with local communities and stakeholders to ensure that their operations are not only accepted but also supported.

1. Community Education and Involvement: Engage local communities in monitoring and protecting their water Educating miners and residents about the impact of mining activities on water quality and how to mitigate these effects is crucial. Community-based programs that empower local stakeholders can lead to more sustainable mining practices and enhance the stewardship of natural resources.
2. Promote Alternative Livelihoods: Promoting alternative livelihoods in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) communities fosters environmental and social sustainability by diversifying local economies away from unsustainable mining. Initiatives like training in sustainable agriculture and small business management not only improve environmental practices and soil health but also enhance job creation and economic stability. This strategic approach alleviates environmental degradation while boosting economic development. Supporting the development of alternative livelihoods aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). These programs contribute to achieving these goals by promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (UN, 2015).

Effective implementation of alternative livelihood programs requires robust policy support and community involvement. Governments and NGOs should collaborate to provide the necessary infrastructure, funding, and training to support these initiatives. Community engagement is crucial to ensure that the livelihoods provided are culturally appropriate and genuinely desired by the community members (World Bank, 2014).

Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Wednesday, June 28th , 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)