Perceived Environmental and Socio-Health Impacts of Artisanal Gold Mining in the Banalia/Bangba Sector, Banalia Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Stanislas Linangelo Bokungu; Junior Omba; Aimé-Claude Libakata Enyangola; Jeannot Lingondo Mokemba; Sabrine Yasenge Yasongbi; Adrien Moango Manga; Zoé-Arthur Kazadi Malumba; Corneille Ewango Ekokinya; Koto-Te-Nyiwa Ngbolua; Stéphane Mbuyamba Ngalula; Crispin Mulaji Kyela

doi:10.63095/NBSEH.26.345060

Authors

Stanislas Linangelo Bokungu Higher Pedagogical Institute of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Junior Omba Geographical Institute of the Congo, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Aimé-Claude Libakata Enyangola Pontifical Gregorian University, Faculty of Social Sciences (https://ror.org/02th47404), Development Economics, Piazza della Pilotta, Rome, Italy
Jeannot Lingondo Mokemba Higher Pedagogical Institute of Ubundu, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Sabrine Yasenge Yasongbi University of Kisangani, Faculty of Sciences, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Adrien Moango Manga University of Kisangani, Faculty of Sciences, Kisangani (https://ror.org/028svp844), Democratic Republic of the Congo
Zoé-Arthur Kazadi Malumba University of Kisangani, Faculty of Sciences, Kisangani (https://ror.org/028svp844), Democratic Republic of the Congo
Corneille Ewango Ekokinya University of Kisangani, Faculty of Sciences, Kisangani (https://ror.org/028svp844), Democratic Republic of the Congo
Koto-Te-Nyiwa Ngbolua University of Kinshasa, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Kinshasa (https://ror.org/05rrz2q74), Democratic Republic of the Congo
Stéphane Mbuyamba Ngalula University of Kinshasa, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Kinshasa (https://ror.org/05rrz2q74), Democratic Republic of the Congo
Crispin Mulaji Kyela 1 University of Kinshasa, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Kinshasa (https://ror.org/05rrz2q74), Democratic Republic of the Congo; 2 Centre for Research in Human Sciences (CRESH), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.345060

Keywords:

Artisanal gold mining, Environmental impacts, Health

Abstract

Artisanal mining is a source of income for many rural populations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but may affect the environment and health. This study describes the perceived environmental and socio-health impacts of artisanal gold mining in the Banalia/Bangba sector. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2021 among 100 key informants. Respondents mainly reported river pollution, waste accumulation, degradation of soils and vegetation cover, as well as water-related diseases. In the absence of analytical or clinical measurements, these observations do not allow a causal relationship to be established. Strengthened environmental and health oversight, together with further investigations, is therefore needed.

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