Title: Potential environmental consequences of artisanal and small-scale gold mining practices in Ahsea, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Authors: Negasi Debeb Getahun; Assefa Hailesilasie Wolearegay; Gebremariam Mesele; Tewodros Alemayehu; Samuel Estifanos; Tsegabrhan Gebreset; N. Rao Cheepurupalli; Yewuhalashet Fissha; Bereket Gebresilassie; N. Sri Chandrahas

Addresses: Adigrat University, P.O. Box 50, Adigrat, Ethiopia ' Adigrat University, P.O. Box 50, Adigrat, Ethiopia ' Adigrat University, P.O. Box 50, Adigrat, Ethiopia ' Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA ' School Earth Science, Mekelle University, P.O. Box, 231, Mekelle, Ethiopia ' Department of Geology, Adigrat University, P.O. Box 50, Adigrat, Ethiopia ' Faculty of Mines, Aksum Institute of Technology, Aksum University, Aksum, Ethiopia ' Faculty of Mines, Aksum Institute of Technology, Aksum University, Aksum, Ethiopia; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Asahikawa College, 2-2-1-6 Syunkodai, Asahikawa City 071-8142, Hokkaido, Japan ' Faculty of Mines, Aksum Institute of Technology, Aksum University, Aksum, Ethiopia ' Department of Mining Engineering, Malla Reddy Engineering College, Hyderabad 500100, India

Abstract: This study investigates the environmental impact of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) by examining toxic heavy metal concentrations in soil, river water, and stream sediments. Pollution indices, including the contamination factor (CF), metal index (MI), and pollution load index (PLI), were evaluated to quantify pollution levels. Results indicated that Cd, As, Cr, and Pb concentrations in water exceeded the permissible limits set by the WHO. The surface water quality ranged from pure to slightly polluted according to the MI classification. Correlation analyses revealed that Cr and Zn have a stronger correlation with PLI in sediment. Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn showed a strong correlation with PLI and were identified as primary pollutants in soil. Stream sediment contamination varied from low to very high contaminated with cadmium. These findings highlight the urgent need for monitoring and mitigating the environmental consequences of artisanal gold mining operations.

Keywords: artisanal mining; small-scale mining; environment; pollution indices; Ethiopia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2025.150815

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2025 Vol.16 No.4, pp.353 - 373

Received: 13 Nov 2024
Accepted: 29 Jan 2025
Published online: 23 Dec 2025 *

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