Health

All fine dust at a high level of exposure has the potential to

cause respiratory diseases and disorders and can exacerbate the
condition of people with asthma and arthritis. Dust from gold mining
operations has a high silica content which has been responsible for
silicosis and silico-tuberculosis in the area (Akabzaa and Darimani,
2001)

According to Stephens and Ahern (2001), mining remains one of the

most perilous occupations in the world, both in terms of short term
injuries and fatalities, but also due to long term impacts such as
cancers and respiratory conditions such as silicosis, asbestosis and
pneumoconiosis.

Studies of surface mining focus on coal, granite and rock mining and
health risks related to dust breathing. In all levels of mining health
risks occur with dustexposure (Stephens and Ahern, 2001)

Respiratory impacts are the most studied and problematic of health

impacts for mine workers. Injuries have declined in importance but
continue to be an important safety issue in mines.

Water

The water sources in both mine areas are not existing as one unit. Small pudder are
scattered and created as per the practice of mining done in the area. First the area
of high grade limestone are worked out first and subsequently as the limestone
quality deteriorated, the mining operations were taken up gradually thus the
mine water pits are scattered haphazarelly. Such ponds are generally described as
a water body of a smaller size, mostly man made (mined resulted). The role as
controllers of microclimate can not be ignored. Local natural life (aquatic avifauna
and terrestrial) sustains around these water bodie. Ponds and the surrounding are
one of the most important protectors of biodiversity.
Four main problems of water pollution have been identified in Tarkwa
mining areas. These are 49
chemical pollution of ground water and streams,and siltation through
increased sediment load

Soil erosion:

Mining exploration in Jharkhand State  has been detrimental to the environment and has caused
great soil erosion. Many peasants working the land are ignorant of the environmental impact that
coal mining and other mining has.  They are not aware of which techniques are best for the
environment and can prevent soil erosion.

The main types of soil erosion in the mining areas, involving exogenic processes, are water
erosion, wind erosion and man-induced erosion. Water erosion takes place in the rainy season
which extends from June to September. Most soil loss in the areas is associated with water
erosion, which includes splash erosion, surface erosion and channel erosion. Wind erosion,
accompanied by sand storms, occasionally takes place in the dry season that extends from
January to April. Man-induced erosion is primarily associated with accelerated erosion from the
different mine workings.

Topography and soil cover has been changed or destroyed due to digging of opencast mines and
dumping of overburden rock mass in the form of large heaps. Due to mass deforestation in the
mining areas soils have been exposed for further erosion. Even the soils which were earlier
removed for the mining and dumped elsewhere are exposed to further erosion and weathering.