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dc.contributor.authorTampushi, Leonard L
dc.date.accessioned2025-02-25T06:52:50Z
dc.date.available2025-02-25T06:52:50Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.identifier.urihttp://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/166956
dc.description.abstractThis study assessed the environmental and socioeconomic ramification of Artisanal and Small- Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in Narok County, Kenya. The study employed a combination of research design techniques which included systematic reviews, surveys, random sampling and environmental media sampling. Direct observations, key informants’ interviews and questionnaires were used in conjunction with random sampling technique to gather data. Quantitative data analysis of environmental samples was done using Inductively-Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and adsorption studies. Thematic analysis was used to systematically analyse qualitative data by finding themes and patterns in the information gathered from interviews and questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis, correlation, and one-way and ANOVA were employed in analyzing the data. Duncan’s multiple range test was used to separate the means in the Statistical System Analysis Program. Analysis of environmental samples was done using Inductively-Coupled Plasma- Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The study showed that 97 % of gold miners use the mercury amalgamation process, 95.5 % operate illegally, and 94.3 % do not conduct environmental impact assessments for their mining activities. In terms of ASGM formalization, 68.1 % believe that poor governance has hampered sustainable practices and operations. However, 76 % of the respondents were aware of serious health consequences caused by hazardous chemical exposure while 83.2 % of the respondents admitted to burning amalgam without protective equipment. According to 60.4 % of respondents, ASGM operations have had a major impact on the environment, notably in terms of forest, soil and water degradation. The data from ordinal regression model fitting revealed that, at p = 0.05, trends, practices, and governance structures were statistically significant in predicting environmental sustainability of ASGM with independent variables (X1, X2, X3, and X4). The statistical results showed that for every one unit increase in X1, X2, X3 and X4 (predictor variables) there is predicted increase xviii of socio-environmental impacts by 0.164, 0.576, 0.545 and 0.754 respectively. The mean concentrations of mercury (p > 0.05) (p = 0.755), arsenic (p = 0.182), and lead (p = 0.43) in soil, water, sediments, and ore were not statistically different. The mean concentrations of mercury, lead, and arsenic in the water were 0.66 mg/L, 0.46 mg/L, and 1.25 mg/L, respectively. There was a positive correlation between ore-tailings (r = 0.971), tailings-sediment (r = 0.944), and ore-sediment (r = 0.944), indicating the presence of hazardous heavy metals in the environment above the national and World Health Organization (WHO) recommended threshold. The study found that ASGM activities had detrimental effects on the environmental and social systems, with some of the most notable ones being deforestation, mine pits left abandoned, contamination of the air and water, loss of significant biodiversity, land degradation, and altered landscapes. The quality of the environment and human health are negatively impacted by high concentrations of heavy metals that are dispersed geographically in environmental media. It determined the possibility of various heavy metal exposure pathways to the mining and nearby communities through water, air, and local land use patterns. This study showed that heavy metals can be removed from contaminated water using environmentally friendly methods that make use of locally accessible materials. Owing to its unique properties, rice husk (RH) presented itself as a potentially readily available adsorbent that can be utilized locally and sustainably to remove heavy metals from contaminated water. The study presents intriguing findings that can be used to close regulatory gaps and provide justification for further research into alternative ASGM mercury free technologies. It also provides useful information for identifying vulnerable subpopulations, the need for formalization, decentralized governance, alternative ASGM technologies, policy intervention, and enforceable regulatory standards and promote self-regulation while taking into account the geographical location, land use patterns, economic status of the region, and workers conditions.en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherUniversity of Nairobien_US
dc.rightsAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States*
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/*
dc.subjectAssessment of Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining Practicesen_US
dc.titleAssessment of Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining Practices on the Environmental and Socio-economic Systems in Narok County, Kenyaen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US


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