ABSTRACT
Construction activities at all levels depend to a large extent on quarry stone aggregate for structural and none structural-developmental activities. The environmental implication of some of these quarry industries is often not considered. This study assessed the impact of public work Nigeria Ltd quarry activities on physical environment of Vwang area, of Plateau State, Nigeria. Observational method was used to assess the environmental consequences of quarry mining on the environment. Probe Toxic Gas Analyser model TG/501 and ATP 901A Sound meter were used to measure ambient air quality and noise level. Quantitative method was equally used to examine resident’s perception of the impact of quarry on their environment. The results obtained were compared with the FMEnvs and WHO reference standards and this showed that the air quality and noise level during operation hours was above the acceptable limits of SO (100g/m)/(80g/m), NO (60g/m)/(40g/m), CO (11.4g/m)/(10g/m), SPMio (250g/m)/ (50g/m) and (70dB for day) (60dB for night) in air. While the result of dust and vibration shock affect the air quality and 42.4% of buildings within the study area. It is therefore recommended that modem technology/instruments and effective protective measures like (tree planting and water sprinking on stones before crush) should be adopted in the quarry company to mitigate the impact of quarry pollutants on humans and their physical environment.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The exploitation of mineral resources has been presumed a crucial stage in many developed and developing countries. Nigeria as one ofthe developing countries is blessed with massive natural resources that have supported the economic growth of the nation. Thus, the extraction of these resources usually passes through the exploration stages of mining and processing (Peter et al., 2018). Oyinloye and Ajayi (2014) described quarry exploitation as open-pit mining from which raw materials like limestone, clay, potash, dolomite, kaolin, bentonite, silica, barite, gypsum, measurement stone, building aggregate, sandstone, and gravel are mined for construction industries. These raw materials are usually combined with concrete and asphalt plants because they contain large amounts of aggregates. However, the extraction and processing of these materials for manufacturing industries usually pose a negative impact on the surroundings that lead to environmental damage.
Quarrying is an activity that helps in the manufacturing of materials that can be used to develop infrastructures like roads, dams, bridges, drainages, and houses (Oyinloye and Ajayi, 2014). Lameed and Ayodele (2010) described a stone quarry as a process which involves excavation/blasting of stones with chemical explosives to mine construction materials that can be used in the development of infrastructures. However, this process usually gives rise to environmental challenges such as sound/vibration shock, air/water pollution, and land degradation. Eshiwani (2014) reported that quarry is an activity that creates a serious disturbance on and beneath the earth because the processes involved include drilling, blasting and crushing of stones into aggregate for construction purposes. Thus, this disturbance usually affects both the physical and biological environment.
According to Mabogunje (2008) cited in Lameed and Ayodele (2010) was of the view that quarrying activities have the capacity of destroying the environment and its species through the release of dust particles into the air, water, and soil. These particles are in gaseous form and when settled on the water body or vegetal cover, releases chemical substances like Particulate Matter (PMio), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO») Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Sulphur Dioxide (SO), which are harmful to plants and animals and can destroy the inhabitants either directly or indirectly. Directly is through noise pollution and land degradation, while indirectly is through changes in surface/groundwater and ambient air quality. Lameed and Ayodele (2010) also revealed that dust particles from quarry activities are one of the key causes of airborne disease although it depends on the issues like the local microclimatic situations. The amount of dust particles concentration in the air, the extent of the dust particles and their interaction, for example, sandstone quarry produces high alkaline dust, while coal mining produces acidic dust. Air contamination is not only a pest on health, particularly for those with respirational issues but also on the vegetal cover such as destroying the inner structures, the scuff of the greeneries and cuticles as well as chemical substance which may affect the long-term existence of the plants.
Quarry activity regardless of its degree fundamentally has environmental consequences due to large numbers of chemical substances discharge during the process, especially if non-standard control measures are used. Nartey et al. (2012) established that about four million death cases related to acute respirational snags are reported annually from ernergmg countries, resulting from worse environmental pollution originating from quarry/mining and heavy construction activities.
Noise pollution harms plants and animals and their reproduction. But, with effective preparation and systematic management control of the environment, through tree planting and the use of equipment/technology that can generate lesser noise, it is possible to lessen the consequence of quarry on biodiversity and also offer a good chance to create and restore the affected environment (Tanko, 2007).
Plateau state is one of the most protuberant places for stone mining and this activity has been going on since the 70s. Today the region has developed massively and there is serious competition between different land-use practices. The abundance of rock in Vwang District has explicated the reason for quarrying activities, and this has been going on for over 20 years with little or no major impact assessment carried out due to socio• political reasons, and yet the host communities are exposed to the quarry pollutants. Public Work Nigeria Limited (PW), is a construction company that is into the construction of roads, bridges, darns and houses. The PW Company has a quarry site located at Vwang District surrounded by 6 villages as, Dandyes I, Dandyes II, Dabwang A and B, Reita and Company. The site was established in 2000 and commenced operation in 2001. Today, the company has over 1 million cubic meters of rock blasted and crushed stones.
1.2 Statement of Research Problem
Quarry activity has provided abundant resources used in the hard flooring/construction finishing such as limestone, granite, marble, sandstone, slate, and clay for ceramic tiles. Quarry products encouraged solid/quality infrastructural development in towns and cities, which is also connected to employment opportunities and economic development. However, on the other hand, these activities have also led to environmental damage such as air, water, soil, and noise pollutions, damage to plants and land degradation (Siachoono, 2010). Over the past few decades, mining activities have deteriorated the environment in many countries accounting for over/exploitation of resources and poor methods of technology employed in mining which in tum has left the landscape in a derelict condition. The resultant impact of quarry on the surrounding environment has been so significant that the very existence of life is vulnerable. Haule et al. (2016) also elaborated that limestone and granite mining in Tanzania caused extensive losses of soil and vegetal covers as a result of vibration shock and some acidic substances released on farmland from quarry activities. Osuocha et al. (2016) revealed that quarry activities have increased the concentration of heavy metals in soil and water in the host communities.
Mallo (1999) cited in (Mallo, 2012) revealed that the effects of cutting down trees in the Jos Plateau due to quarrying/mining activity have numerous ecological and economic consequences such as erosion, deforestation, desertification and increase in watercourses siltation. Others are loss ofbiodiversity, loss of farmland, and vegetal cover in the region, accounting for the rise in carbon dioxide and climate change. The concentration of carbon dioxides in the air contributes to climate change and an increase in population led to cutting down of trees for fuelwood, which increased the rate of evaporation and change of fluvial competence capability, as parts of the consequences of deforestation in Jos Plateau. According to Mallo (2012) the extraction and exploitation of tin, metal ore, Columbine and allied minerals on the Jos Plateau started as far back as 1928 during the then Nok culture of Benue, Plateau and Northern Zaria of Nigeria which was known for Iron smelting. Later, the European miners located informal mining activities that mined tin, galena, gold, and other minerals that were traded internationally. Fagg (2014) the increase in mining activities has brought about urbanization and encouraged man’s desire for new infrastructural development which in tum affects the physical environment.
Several research works (including Ukpong, 2012) were conducted to measure the impact of quarry activities on the physical environment such has the concentration of physiochemical substances (NO») and (CO) in air and water at Akamkpa. Ukpong (2012) found out that the concentration of these substances was above the permissible limits and therefore, detrimental to the host community. Haule et al. (2016) assessed the concentration of cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr) in the soil and vegetal covers at Mbeya. Osuocha et al. (2016) equally assessed the Concentration of heavy metals like Aluminium (Al), Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) in soils and vegetable plants. Ndoke et al. (2012) also examine the quantity of Carbon dioxide (CO») concentration in Kaduna and Abuja environments. He concluded that CO» concentration is high enough to cause serious health effects on people. Others are concentrations of Chloride, Nitrate, (SPMs) and (VOC)} in water, soil and air.
In Vwang District, PW Quarry Company seems not to observe environmental legislation and regulation. It is against this backdrop that this research seeks to assess the compliance level of the company to Environmental Impact Assessment Act and other provided National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) laws and regulations under the Federal Ministry of Environment. To know whether the company has developed and implemented some of the key policy instruments and tools that are commonly adopted for managing the environmental impacts. Also, the reviewed literature showed that there is little or no direct research in the area of Particulate Matter (PMio), Sulphur Dioxide (SO») and Noise Level which this study is trying to fill using Public Work Nigeria Ltd (PW) Quarry Company.
1.3 Research Questions
1. What are the characteristics of the PW quarry site?
11. What are the effects of the quarry activity in Vwang district?
111 . How do people perceive the impact of quarry activity on their environment?
1v. What is the compliance level of the PW quarry company?
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
1.4.1 Aim of the study
This study aimed to assess the impact of quarry activities on the physical environment of Vwang district to proffer planning solution, through the following objectives:
1.4.2 Objectives of the study
1. Examine the site characteristics of the PW quarry and map the specific distribution of the settlement around the quarry operation site.
11. Assess the impact of the quarry activities on-air quality and noise level.
111 . Examine people’s perception of the impact of quarry on their environment.
1v. Examine the compliance level of the PW quarry company to the (NESREA) and
Nigeria Mineral and Mining Regulation Act 2011.
1.5 Limitation of the Research
The 2006 National Population Census does not account for the population of the study area at the neighbourhood level. It was difficult to acquire the population of the study area. However, the population size was determined using a surrogate approach, through the satellite image. 357 questionnaires were administered but only 309 were retrieved due to poor responses from the respondents, as a result of the clashes between farmers and Fulani herdsmen. Literature has shown that numerous pollutants are emitted at the quarry site during operation. However, getting an instrument that measures a reasonable amount of these gasses was difficult. Therefore, the researcher was only limited to Particulate Matter (PMio), Sulphur Dioxide (SO») and Noise levels.
1.6 Significance of the Study
Quarry activities are the major environmental challenges globally, and in particular, the impact of mining in developing countries is more pronounced due to the poor regulatory monitoring. This research will add to the growth of knowledge on the evaluation of the environmental impact of quarry activities and also serve as reference material to government and individuals in this field. This study will help with better information on the characteristics and distribution of the surrounding settlements. This study will also reveal the major environmental consequences of the quarry industry that are deteriorated to man and his environment which include air, soil and water pollution, damage to vegetal cover and biodiversity, noise pollution and vibration shock. It will also serve as a solution to the gaped in knowledge discovered in this study and reference material to other researchers or academia.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The physical environment comprises air, water, soil/land, vegetal cover and ecology. But for this study, emphases were made on the effect of the PW quarry industry on air, noise level and buildings within a 1.5km radius.
1.8 Study Area
The PW quarry site is situated between latitudes 9° 41′ 38″ N to 9° 42′ O” N and longitudes 8° 42′ 36″ E to 8° 43′ 2″ E and covered 2,338162m2 ofland in Vwang District Jos South LGA, Plateau State Nigeria. Comprises 6 villages, Dandyes I, Dandyes II, Dabwang A and B, Reita and Company as indicated in Figures 1.2 and 1.3.
1.8.1 Geopolitical background of Jos south
Jos South Local Government Area (LGA) is one of the 17 Local Government Areas of Plateau State. Created in 1991, it lies between latitudes 9° 40′ 0″ N to 9° 52′ 0″ N and longitudes 8° 40′ 0″ E to 8° 56′ 0″ E and it comprises of four districts Du, Gyel, Kum, and Vwang. Jos South is bordered with Bassa in the North-West, Jos North in the North, Riyom in the South, Barkin Ladi, and in the North-East Jos East.
1.8.2 Historical background of the study area
The area was discovered by a game hunter that started at Naraguta of the old Anaguta village. Vwang (Jos South) is as old as during the Nok culture. The findings of metal ore and tin deposits within Jos Plateau led to the discovery of the first immigrants of the Anaguta ethnic group by the colonial Government in 1900. Colonel, H. W Laws an engineer with the Royal Niger Company was sent as a mining engineer with 600 workers to work. Colonel laws were lovingly referred to as ‘king of Jos Plateau’ by his people. Due to his effort of the massive discovery of metal ore and tin/columbine deposits in Naraguta hill, Jos Plateau (Krause, 2011). In search of different ethics groups on the Plateau, the Colonel became more confused and disorderly due to language differences that he can no longer understand. So he was encouraged to move to the next neighbourhood or territory belonging to the different colonial government and served there as a cooperation and brainpower officer.
The organic neighbourhood was known as ‘Gwash’, originated from the name first migrant, and the word ‘Gwash’ was hard for the Europeans to pronounce and spelled the word, so they called it Jos, and on that day mark the beginning of the name ‘Jos’. There are other small tribes within the Anaguta Kingdom known as Buji, Berom, and Afizere (Krause, 2011).
The mining of tin and columbine on the Jos Plateau has attracted urbanization in the area from diverse parts of the world which qualified the area to a cosmopolitan city. The ideas behind Jos’ development and transformation started during the colonial master, under the leadership of Lord Lugard, then Nigeria Governor-General in 1913-1918. That marks the beginning of the book that guides the establishment of the township ordinance, to create the European Reservation Area and Non-Europeans Reservation Area. Jos is among the second-class cities under the leadership of the British Government of then colonial masters, because ofthe abundance deposit ofTin and columbine. The problems associated with traditional towns and cities in northern Nigeria, which Jos happened to be one of them in 1914. That led to the past of 1917 townships ordinance law that created satellite towns to overcrowded cities that were caused as a result of population migration. The six new towns created known as ‘second class towns’ give room to people within and outside the country access to land for leaving (Krause, 2011 ).
1.8.3 Climate and weather of Vwang district
The study area is characterised by two distinct climate conditions; the wet and the dry season. The rainy season is between May to October and at the peak in September while the summer season started from November to March. The area has an average rainfall of
1347 .5 and 1460 mm per annum. It has a cool climatic condition due to its altitude of the area, from November to February with an average temperature of 18C. The temperature ofthe town ranges from 16.69C-18.94C within the coldest and rainy season (Adegboye,
2012). The maximum temperature is beginning around March to April whereas the lowermost temperature occurs within December and January. Jos has the lowest temperature but has always been changing over some time due to global warming with an average temperature ranging from 21-25C (70-77F), from middays ofNovember to late days of January, while in the night the temperature usually goes as low as 11C (52F). Storm does fall occasionally during the wet season due to the lowest temperatures of the Jos Plateau (Stocker, 2014).
1.8.4 Vegetation and soil
The area is made up of grassland and average vegetation cover (guinea Savannah trees), the vegetation has an average height of about 1.5-2 metres tall and above, such as Olive “Atile”, Acacia, Canarium Schweinfurth’s, Eucalyptus, and Cactus. The crops grown are Arish potatoes, maize, acha, millet and sweet potatoes (Hegazi, 2008).
1.8.5 Relief and geology
Vwang district (PW Quarry Site) lies on a Plateau terrain above sea level; with a maximum elevation of about 1800 metres with a rough landscape. The city is situated on the metal ore and rock outcrops which attracted quarries, the area is divided by watercourses that flow into River Benue. It is also a blessing with numerous water ponds and enclosures due to the mining activities. Jos Plateau is rich in crystal resources like Marble, tin, Granite, columbine, and limestone (Oyelana and Thakhathi, 2015).
1.8.6 People and culture of the project region
The major inhabitants ofVwang district (PW Quarry Site) are the Berorns. However, the abundance of the resource found explicated the reason for mining activities and other opportunities that encourage the influx of people with different ethnic backgrounds such as the Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and other smaller groups. The mild climatic condition and the accommodative nature of its people, as well as a tourist attraction, have continued to attract investors. Krause (2011) the people of Jos South were predominantly farmers and hunters, but with the corning of mining activities in the area, the early occupation has been overtaken by these mining activities.
1.8. 7 History of quarry activities in Vwang district
In Vwang District, extraction of naturally occurring stone or tin from the earth is dating as far back as 7 to 10 decades, where the Nok culture ofthe Benue Plateau/Northem Zaria areas of Nigeria was understood to know Iron smelting (Mallo, 1999) cited in (Mallo, 2012). Later, it was an unorganised mining system set up by the European miners that were used to mine gold, galena, tin columbine and other minerals that were traded globally. The increase in the human population has led to man’s desire for new infrastructural development that emerged in many quarry sites in the state, both organised and unorganised sites (National Bureau of Statistics, 2013). PW Nigeria Limited was established in 2000 and commenced operation in 2001. Today, the company has over 1 million cubic meters of rock blasted and crushed. The company used the open-pit mechanized method with a 5-7m vertical/horizontal bench. The site is divided into 3 sections: the quarry, crusher, and transportation.
This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research
IMPACT OF PUBLIC WORK NIGERIA LIMITED QUARRY ACTIVITIES ON PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF VWANG DISTRICT, JOS SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA
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