The Impact of Mining Exploration on Sangaredi Community’s Sustainable Development: Inhabitants Perspectives on Livelihood

Abstract

Mining exploration has left many communities in deplorable conditions, ranging from low levels of livelihood sustenance to poor health facilities and poor road networks. This study examined the impact of mining exploration on sustainable development of a community in Guinea, West Africa. The paper reviews literature published on mining and exploration and its impact on community environments.’ However, this study employed descriptive quantitative and correlational methods, which facilitated the gathering, classification and presentation of data that led to analysis, description and conclusion of the study. In this study, 300 questionnaires were distributed to community inhabitants, which enhanced the compilation of first-hand information. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The results disclosed numerous problems, ranging from health to education and poor road networks. It was revealed that, exploration activities have damaged lands utilised for agricultural purposes, and deposits of toxic substances have damaged soil nutrients, which caused degradation of the land tenure system. Such problems have left lands to be unproductive. Because of the foregoing problems discovered as negative impact, it is fitting for government and mining corporations to pay considerable attention to Sangaredi community and address such problems. This study identified issues bothering Sangaredi and other communities where mining explorations are conducted. It descriptively explained issues of exploration and established the negative impact mining activities have caused in the community. However, such impact adversely affects the community at large. In addition, academics and mining consultants will use this information as a source for further investigation on the subject matter.