Review of the Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures on Water Resource Management of Mining Projects in Tanzania, the Case of Buzwagi Gold Mine
Abstract
The study aimed to review the implementation of mitigation measures recommended during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Buzwagi Gold Mine (BGM) to protect water quality and availability in the surrounding villages. This was done by evaluating the predicted impacts on water resource management and assessing the proposed mitigation measures outlined in the EIA. The effectiveness of mitigation measures for groundwater quantity was assessed by measuring water levels in 11 wells, which are in the village close to the mining area during both dry and rainy seasons. Additionally, the mitigation measure aimed at preventing groundwater contamination was evaluated by analysing the quality of water and sediments from the wells. A total of 28 water samples and 28 sediment samples were collected and tested for total cyanide and heavy metals. The results indicated that wells located near the mining area were contaminated with cyanide, whereas those farther away were not. Furthermore, sediment samples from the wells closer to the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) exhibited higher concentrations of heavy metals compared to those situated farther from the TSF. The depth of water levels in the wells was lower during the rainy season than in the dry season. The study concluded that not all mitigation measures proposed in Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) are fully implemented in Tanzania’s mining areas, and among those that are implemented, not all are effective.
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