The Cost of Coal - The Social, Economic and Environmental Impacts of Coal Mining in Nigeria
Ankpa Local Government Area (LGA), Kogi State, Nigeria, is part of a host of extractive local government areas in Nigeria, who suffer from the “Resource Curse”. People living in the rural communities covered by this local government area continue to suffer huge environmental, livelihood and health impacts of industrial and artisanal coal mining activities
After the discovery and subsequent explotation of Crude oil in Nigeria, the impacts of coal exploration has disappeared from national discussions, however this has not stopped the continuous degradation of the environment where coal mines are being operated. Most of these mines are artisanal mines, operated by poor community people who see this as one of the primary means of making an income, without adequate use of proper mining and extraction technologies to reduce its impacts on health and the environment.
This research explores the views of respondents in Odagbo and Onupi coal mining communities while looking at the impact of coal mining activities on their social, economic and environmental livelihood. Data were generated through sample survey using well-structured questionnaires, a review of available literature and personal field observation to the target communities. The researchers aimed at exploring the impact of mineral exploitation on the environment and to emphasize the importance of sustainable environmental management to enduring socio-economic development in Nigeria. Coal mining puts tremendous pressure on local flora and fauna, particularly where of available forests and land are dug for mining to takes place. The effect of mining on ground water level, silting of surrounding water bodies and land are also of great concern. Coal mining may be argued to contribute greatly towards the economic development of a Nation; however it has also been established that it has immense impact on human health, the environment, agriculture and rural economics.
This research was carried out with support from the African Coal Network and the Global Greengrants Funds (GGF)
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