COMPARATIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF LEAD AND OTHER HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN ORE AND TAILINGS: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RISKS IN SMALL-SCALE MINING COMMUNITIES IN ZAMFARA, NIGERIA, AND GEITA, TANZANIA

Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) is tailings, a vital livelihood activity in Zamfara State, Nigeria, and Geita Region, Tanzania. However, ASM often involves hazardous practices, leading to immediate health risks and environmental contamination. We conducted a study to urgently assess the concentration levels of lead and other heavy metals in ore and tailings, highlighting the need for immediate action. A preliminary assessment in mining and residential areas focused on understanding the local context of ASM. The community, which played a crucial role in this study, was actively engaged and trained on heavy metal risks and safer mining practices. A total of 16 ore and 4 tailings samples were collected from mining sites and analyzed for heavy metals using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).