Geochemical Characterisation of Mine Wastes from Kuchiko Artisanal Gold Mining Areas, Part of Abuja Sheet 186SW North-West Nigeria

Gold mining is a major environmental concern due to the significant amount of waste it generates.This waste can cause environmental damage and pose a potential threat to the ecosystem and human health.This study therefore aims to characterize the mineralogy and geochemistry of tailings and waste rocks from artisanal gold mining in Kuchiko area, north-central Nigeria using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS).Field observations revealed that mining operations had significant physical environmental impacts such as soil erosion and land degradation.The pH values of the samples were in the range of 5.1 to 6.7.Results of XRD analysis identified kaolinite, orthoclase, muscovite and quartz as the dominant minerals in the mine wastes.Result of the laboratory analyses showed the mean concentrations of some potentially toxic elements in mine wastes and tailings to be; Pb (256.86 ppm), As (0.445 ppm), Cu (87.31 ppm).Others are Zn (67.89 ppm), Ni (39.67 ppm), Th (9.723ppm), Ce (325.8 ppm), and Cr (221.63 ppm).Chemical analyses also revealed the mean concentration of Hg to be 8.4 (ppm).The presence of these elements in soils of this area may lead to uptake and accumulation in plants and animals; ultimately making their way into the human diet.Similarly, these elements can also contaminate surface and groundwater in the area, rendering it unsafe for human consumption.Exposure to these elements may result in stunted plant growth, as well as respiratory issues and potential liver and kidney damage in humans.