Browsing by Author "Ogunbajo, M. I."

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Environmental Impact of Artisanal Gold Mining around Kataeregi Area, North-Central Nigeria
(Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, 51st Annual Conference Book of Abstracts, 2015-03) Omanayin, Y. A.; Ogunbajo, M. I.
The geology and geochemical studies of water, stream sediments and rocks from Kataeregi artisanal gold mining, North-central Nigeria was carried out with the aim of determining its host rocks, assessing the impact of such activity on the surrounding and evaluating the suitability of the water in the area for probable uses. The field work involves the collection of representative rock, water, and sediment samples along stream, mined and background areas within the location of study. The rock and sediment samples were analyzed for trace element concentrations using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Water samples were analyzed for cation, anion and trace elements determinations. The average concentration of these trace elements in rocks and sediments were compared with published average crustal abundances of the elements in upper continental crust and the water compared with Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ, 2007) and World Health Organization (WHO, 2011) Standards. Geological field mapping show that 60% of the total area is underlain by Migmatite Granite-Gneiss complex while Schist account for 20%. The geochemical analysis of the representative rock samples indicates probable Au-Ag-Hg mineralization with average concentrations of 0.16ppm, 2.53ppm, 0.21ppm respectively. Au is hosted by the Schist rocks found within the central portion of the study area while Ag and Hg occur in both Migmatite Granite-Gneiss complex and the Schist rocks. Geochemistry of the sediment samples revealed the sediments are enriched with elements such as Au (0.23ppm), Ag (2.59ppm), Hg (0.21ppm) and Mo (1.14ppm). Findings from the water analyses and Langguth trilinear diagram revealed the water to be earth-alkaline fresh water with high alkaline content, and mostly sulphate type. The elevated Pb content in water is attributed to the influence from local geology and gold mining activities while the Fe and SO4 could results in input from oxidative weathering of pyrite associated with the gold mineralization in the area. These trace metals like Hg in rocks and sediments, and Pb in water from the study area can get consumed directly or indirectly through food chain. They are potential toxic elements that can render water unfit, causes slow growth rate in plant and respiratory, nervous and reproductive disorder in man. Regulations should be put in place to curtail excessive ground opening during mining, environmentally friendly and scientific usage of mercury in gold processing encouraged, and indiscriminate mined waste disposal discouraged. However, it is advisable to explore and exploit for Ag to compliment Au exploitation in the area. Keywords: Geology, Artisanal gold mining, Sediment Geochemistry, Water Quality, Kataeregi. North-central Nigeria
Geochemical Investigation and Physical Impact Assessment of Artisanal Gold Mining, Kataeregi, North-Central Nigeria
(INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY, 2016-06) Omanayin, Y. A.; Ogunbajo, M. I.; Waziri, N. M.; Ako, T. A.; Shuaibu, A. M.; Alaku, I. O.
The geochemistry of mine products and stream sediments from Kataeregi area in Northcentral Nigeria was studied with the objective of environmental hazards assessment that is caused by artisanal gold mining activities through field work and laboratory analyses. The field work involves the observation of physical impact of mining on the environment and collection of representative samples along the streams, mined site and tailings within the location of study. The sediment samples were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The result obtained from laboratory analysis was compared with the ideal average crustal concentration of the elements in upper continental crust. Field observation revealed that mining activity has impacted on the environment with land destruction, loss of vegetation and erosion of soils. Geological field mapping show the area is underlain with Migmatite-Gneiss complex, Mica Schist, Granite and Sandstone lithologies. Results from geochemical analysis revealed that sediments are enriched with elements such as Au (0.23ppm), Ag (2.59ppm), Hg (0.21ppm) and Mo (1.14ppm). The presence of Hg in sediments can get consumed directly or indirectly through food chain and passed on to human. Keywords: Artisanal gold mining; Sediment geochemistry; degradation of land; Contamination; North-central Nigeria.
Geology and Environmental Impact of Aritsanal Gold Mining around Kataeregi area, North-Central Nigeria
(Nigerian Journal of Technological Research (NJTR), 2016) Omanayin, Y. A.; Ogunbajo, M. I.
Geology and effect of artisanal gold mining was investigated in Kataeregi and environ, North-central Nigeria with the aim of determining its host rock and assessing the impact of such activity on the surrounding. Geological field mapping show the area comprise of the Migmatite-Gneiss complex, Schist, Granite and Sandstone lithologies. The geochemical analysis of the representative rock samples indicates probable Au, Ag and Hg mineralization (0.16 ppm, 2.53 ppm and 0.21 ppm respectively on the average). Au is hosted by auriferous quartz veins within the Schist rock. Geochemistry of the sediment samples revealed the sediments are enriched with elements such as Au (0.23 ppm), Ag (2.59 ppm), Hg (0.21 ppm) and Mo (1.14 ppm). The water is earth-alkaline fresh water with high alkaline content, and mostly sulphate type. The average concentration of these elements in rocks and sediments were compared with published average crustal abundances of the elements in upper continental crust and the water compared with Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality and World Health Organization Standards. Mining activity has impacted the environment with land degradation, loss of vegetation and erosion of soils. Trace elements like Hg in rocks and sediments, and Pb in water from the study area are potential toxic elements that can render water unfit, causes slow growth rate in plant and reproductive disorder in man.
Water Quality Assessment around Kataeregi Artisanal Gold Mining Site, North-Central Nigeria
(Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers (NSME), Book of Proceedings, 2014) Omanayin, Y. A.; Ogunbajo, M. I.; Amadi, A. N.; Abdulfatai, I. A.; Mamodu, A.
Hydrochemical assessment was conducted on streams, mine ponds and hand-dug wells around Kataeregi gold mining site, along Minna- Bida road, North-central Nigeria. This was done in order to evaluate the suitability of water in the area for both domestic and irrigational purposes. Fifteen quality parameters: Temperature, pH, TDS, EC, SO4, NO3, HCO3, Cl, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cu, Fe, As and Pb were analyzed. The abundance of the major ions was in order of Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ > Fe2+ for cations and HCO3- > SO42- > Cl- > NO3- > PO43- for anions. The water was observed to be earth-alkaline fresh water, which is an indication of water from shallow aquifer system. The results of the field and laboratory revealed that the concentration of most of the parameters were below the maximum permissible limits for a safe drinking water recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) except for iron, sulphate and lead whose concentrations at some locations were slightly higher than their respective acceptable limits. The high content of iron and sulphate could be attributed to the oxidative weathering of pyrite associated with the gold mineralization in the area while high lead content observed in the area was due to the weathering and subsequent dissolution of galena, discarded by the artisanal miners during the exploration for gold.
Water Quality Investigation within the Neighbourhood of Kataeregi Artisanl Gold Mining Sites, North-Central Nigeria
(Journal of Information, Education, Science and Technology (JIEST), 2016-12) Omanayin, Y. A.; Ogunbajo, M. I.; Amadi, A. N.; Abdulfatai, I. A.; Mamodu, A.
Hydrochemical analysis was performed on water samples obtained from streams, mine ponds and hand-dug wells within the neighbourhood of Kataeregi gold mining site, located along Minna- Bida road in North-central Nigeria. The exercise is aimed at ascertaining the suitability of water from streams and hand-dug well for both domestic and irrigational purposes. The parameters analyzed for comprise of Temperature, Acidity – Alkalinity level (pH), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), and concentrations of SO42-, NO3-, HCO3-, Cl-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cu2+, Fe2+, As3+ and Pb2+. Geological field mapping show the area comprise of Migmatite-Gneiss Complex, Schist, Granite and Sandstone lithologies. The concentrations of Fe2+ and Pb2+ far exceed World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) prescribed limits for irrigation, portability and other domestic purposes. The high content of iron could be attributed to the oxidative weathering of pyrite associated with the gold mineralization in the area while the high lead content observed in the area was due to the weathering and subsequent dissolution of galena, discarded by artisanal miners during the exploration for gold. All water bodies in the area belong to earth-alkaline fresh water, which is an indication of water from shallow aquifer system.