ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN GOLD MINING IN SHAKISO TOWN AND ITS SURRONDING GUJI ZONE OROMIA REGINAL STATE

ABSTRACT This research realizes the environmental impact caused by traditional and modern gold mining and has the objectives of identifying the methods of gold mining, negative impact of mining and coverage of forest affected and its adverse effect on the environment in the case of selected site of odo shakiso district. The research approach employed for the study were qualitative research and quantitative in some cases. The district and specific site were purposely selected due to the existences of high potential of mineral and highly degraded by operation of gold mining. Simple systematic random sampling technique was applied to select 135 respondents. The study used interviews, questionnaires; field observation and other secondary sources .The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean and frequency. Mining is a problem of most developing countries that they use it as the means of livelihood. Therefore the findings indicate that even though gold mining has economic benefit as a country, there are abundant negative impacts from these operations as a result of uncaring extraction and processing techniques. The growing rate of wishing to improve their way of life, generate additional income and searching for subsistence are a force behind the increase of traditional gold miners in the district. The presence of free-for-all gold mining activities in the district and high natural forest destruction and discharged waste management problems around modern gold mining result in increased risk of the environment as it promotes land degradation, physical injury, migration, Aquatic life disturbance and pollution of water sources. Thus the processes of gold mining were found to be aggravating environmental impacts. This negative environmental impact process if not treated as is the case in Odo-Shakiso district will put a challenging pressure on the living and non-living components of the environment resulting in its failure in future. Extensive deforestation of gold mining has adverse effect and already being felt in the district such as decreasing potential of rivers, wild animal migration, erosion, lowering water table, and scarcity of charcoal, firewood and construction materials. To alleviate these problems prepare land rehabilitation and aforestation campaign, authorized and capacitate concerned government sectors, develop integration among government sectors, prepare awareness raising programme and short term training, improve policy application, and improve waste disposal methods and working habits.