LIVELIHOOD DECISION AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN MINING: THE VALUE-ACTION GAP IN THE ARTESINAL BARYTES MINING OF AZARA, NASARAWA STATE.

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities like mining are products of rational human decisions that are informed by socio-economic motives, belief and value systems of the concerned. This study examined livelihood decision and environmental degradation associated with mining in Azara. Existing researches show that although small-scale mining operations are fraught with adverse socio-economic and physical environmental impact, they are however regarded as both the last and first resort for the poor, landless, and unemployed who hope to break away from the yoke of poverty and social marginalization by partaking in it. Qualitative data were collected from the local miners as well as other mining takeholders within and outside the mines on issues like the nature of the operation, occupational justifications; hope and fears in the operations, and the way forward. 61.6% of the respondents engaged in mining activity as a result of unemployment, the need for daily income and the lack of well-paying jobs. 68%of the respondents believed that mining causes both environmental and socio-economic problems in the area. The results suggest that decisions about barytes mining are rational in nature, given the facts that barytes mining is a free for all affair that offers instant gratifications (in ready employment and cash) for willing hands, and that the miners are either unaware or oblivious of the environmental and health hazards of the operation. The need for environmental education/awareness on mining operation which should be intensified with proper legislation.