Abstract

Author:

Hart, Lawrence and Eze, Promise Ikenda

Doi: 10.26480/magg.02.2024.89.94

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Sand is a valuable resource for construction and other purposes. However, illegal, and unscientific sand mining portends ecological disasters on a large scale. It often results in serious environmental problems such as land degradation, loss of agricultural lands and biodiversity as well as pollution resulting to various diseases. The study assessed the non-compliance of the mining industry with the provisions of the law as prescribed in the Mineral and Mining Act 2007 with respect to restricted areas for mining and reclamation works after extraction of mineral deposits. It further highlights the non-compliance of remediation or reclamation activities of the mining industries, and the inefficient implementation and enforcement of the reclamation works in parts of Rivers State, Nigeria as provided for in Sections 90(2) and 115 of the Mining Act 2007. The Geographic location and attributes of sites were captured for spatial analysis using Geographic Information System (GIS) and associated Remote Sensing techniques. The results show that the Rumuolemini location has a largest surface area of 18.26 Hectares with a perimeter of 2.47km, and Isiodu 2 has the smallest surface area of 0.41Hectares with a perimeter of 0.02km. The highest volume of 21979.274m3, and 4708.985m2 surface area was recorded in post dredge site 4. Also, the volume of 563.512m3 with a surface area of 334.360m2. These locations are substantially linear and impact on the New Calabar River. Some of the site study revealed that the site is currently used as a dumpsite for various wastes despite the intense urban and industrial development proximal to residential buildings. Furthermore, that sand mining should be strictly monitored and a stiffer penalty for non-compliance with the reclamation activities after mining.