Assessing the environmental impacts of phosphate mining in osukulu sub county Tororo district.

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to assess the environmental impacts of phosphate mining in osukulu Sub County in Tororo district. The study aimed at identifying the methods of extracting phosphate mineral and it revealed the following; placer mining, In-situ and surface mining. The impacts of phosphate mining on the land and vegetation cover in Osukulu sub county and included deforestation, loss of biodiversity, loss of soil fertility. The impacts on the atmosphere included pollution, death of organs, noise pollution. The strategies towards conserving the biophysical environment included the following sensitization of the public, working cooperatively with the management, tree planting, proper disposal of waste materials, adding cover on the land and also planting native grass.