*Lukman Bello & Mohammed Buba Hassan (AUTHORS)
Department of Geography, Federal University Gusau, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author’s Email: lukmanmada76@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: The Planet Earth is 71% water, but fresh water for our basic survival needs is only 3%. Of this figure, only 0.5% is
available for human use; the remaining 2.5% exists in glaciers, ice, and snow. As a result, many people (about 1.1 billion) live in areas where access to fresh water is a pressing issue. The competitive struggle to earn a livelihood amidst unsafe mining practices releases tons of poisonous chemicals from mineral processing, especially gold ore in Zamfara State. These harmful substances are deposited on soil surfaces, drinking water, edible plant leaves, and fruits. The United Nations’ World Water Development Report revealed that industrial water consumption accounts for 22% of global freshwater withdrawal but varies between high- and low-income countries; and by 2025, industries will account for 24% of global freshwater withdrawal. Mining industries’ waste (both solid and liquid) has been identified as a source of freshwater pollution, releasing toxic heavy metals, organic solvents, sludge, and other harmful elements. In developing countries (Zamfara inclusive), 70% of these wastes are discharge (untreated) into rivers, streams, and land, causing serious reduction in the quality and availability of fresh water for domestic use. This paper aims to review the effects of mining industry operations on freshwater quality in Zamfara State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Mining; Industry; Freshwater; Water quality; Effect; Zamfara State