Social and Environmental Impacts of Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining: The Case of Chimanimani National Park

Abstract

In Mozambique, artisanal and small-scale mining provides a livelihood for many people and is an important source of economic development for many rural communities. The number of people involved in those activities is likely growing due to population growth, poverty, high price of mineral and climate change. However, there are many social and environmental problems directly associated with gold mining that overshadowed these economic gains. In this sense, the study aimed to analyze the social and environmental impacts of artisanal mining in the Chimanimani National Park and the relevant legislation. Methodologically, it was used a literature review and field research, with a sample of 28 interviewees. The collected data were processed on IBM SPSS statistical package, version 20.0 and analyzed at a level of significance of 5%. The results showed that the development of artisanal mining activities in the Chimanimani National Park, despite providing employment and income, has created problems of soil erosion, clearance of vegetation and water pollution, in addition to the degeneration of areas agricultural, which threatens the local socio-environmental well-being.

Keywords: artisanal gold mining, climate change, Chimanimani National Park, environment, pollution

DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/79-05

Publication date:October 31^st 2021