Impacts of surface gold mining on land use systems and livelihoods of the people of Busia district :

Abstract

The impacts of surface gold mining on land use systems and livelihoods of the people of Buteba, Busitema and Sikuda sub counties in Busia district was the case study. Gold mining activities. spur a myriad of benefits to the communities around yet with great impacts to people's lives and to the environment. The study objectives included: to establish the economic contribution of gold mining to the livelihoods, establish the social and environmental impacts of gold mining around the area and to suggest possible measures to influence government intervention for sustainable development of the area. The study was cross sectional where by both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to collect data. To efficiently conduct the study, the researcher targeted 60 respondents located in the 3 sub counties to make a more scientific justifiable sampling frame simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used. The data collected through interviews and self-administered questionnaires was coded using EXCEL, then to STATA 11 and SPSS 16 for analysis which facilitated the formation of frequency tables, graphs and pie charts. The researcher found out that most livelihoods living in these communities derive their livelihood from agriculture, the study also indicated that surface gold mining contributes to incomes; people have been able to put up shops and also pay school fees for children at school. Conclusively it's evident that surface mining has had some negative impacts on the: livelihoods of the people and the environment through deaths recorded, accidents, diseases, environmental challenges like soil erosion, free cutting (deforestation) etc. Other complications realized are as a result of use of mercury during. the process of amalgamation to produce the gold though this is long term. The researcher therefore recommends that for a further improvement in the livelihoods of these communities, government should come give a hand in terms of improved mining methods which also put in consideration environmental conservation for sustainability; this should also follow stake holder analysis and public sensitization.