Effects of mining operations on air and water quality in Mufulira district of Zambia : a case study of Kankonyo township.
Loading...
Date
2020
Authors
Muma, Darius
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Air and water pollution in the Zambian Copper Mining Industry is considered to be one of the
most significant environmental problems facing the communities living in and around the mining
operation areas. It is quite a complex issue which cuts across various environmental, social,
economic and political dimensions.This thesis highlights the effects of mining operations on air
and water quality in Kankoyo area of Mufulira district. Recent investments and technological
improvement in the copper mining and copper processing plants have had a significant positive
impact on the capture of sulphur dioxide emissions as well as minimizing mine effluent
discharges into the natural streams. However, numerous reports still cite air and water pollution
in Kankoyo as one of the major environmental problems.
The investigation involved sampling of the ambient air, mine effluent discharge and domestic
water samples and the subsequent determination of sulphur dioxide and various water quality
parameters respectively. The results obtained indicate significant reductions in terms of sulphur
capture and sulphur dioxide emissions from the Copper Smelter. The average sulphur capture
was 48% from 2007 to 2013 and about 94% from 2014 to 2018. The average annual sulphur
dioxide emissions for 2017/2018 at 144.5µgm3
in Kankoyo Township were 15.6% above the
statutory limit of 125µgm3
in ambient air (µgm3
/24hrs). The general water quality meets the
allowable statutory limits despite that the water quality in this area may not only be attributed to
the mining activities but also from the dilapidated water infrastructures which may be the likely
source of alternative contamination.
Key Words: SDGs, scientific, environment, pollution, effluent, emissions
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Mining--Effects of. , Air and water pollution--Mining industry.