The Environmental Impacts of Small Scale Quarrying and Mining on the Environment in Cooks/Nyerere Compound of Lusaka

摘要

The impact of illegal small scale quarrying on the environment in Cooks compound of Lusaka was investigated. This area is located within the city of Lusaka making it a perfect example of the effect of small scale quarrying by the poor on the city environment. Structured and non-structured interviews were used on a sample of 130 respondents from the study area (80 miners and 30 residents) and 5 respondents from government departments. Field observation was used as well to gather information from the study area. The results showed that there was increased environmental degradation due to intensive quarrying in the area. The presence of craters and pits left after quarrying paused great danger to the miners and the residents in the area. The dangers faced by miners included inhaling of dust, smoke from burning tires and logs to soften the rocks, falling rocks, falling into the pits and accidents with tool. The residents also faced danger from the pits left by quarriers like falling into the pits and pits serving as breeding places for mosquitoes leading to diseases like malaria, decentry and cholera. However, the residents use these pits for dumping waste, building latrines as well as collecting water during the rain season. The results indicated the need to curb this illegal quarrying as it leads to environmental degradation and endangers the lives of the residents within the study area.