Environmental problems of illegal mining activities in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State

Abstract

The paper examines the environmental problems occasioned by illegal mining activities in Ofiki, Atisbo Local Government of Oyo State. It equally assesses how existing institutional framework on environmental protection in the State has dealt with the problem. In carrying out this study 303 questionnaires were administered on randomly chosen residents of the area while an oral interview was held with the Director-General of the defunct Oyo State Environmental Protection Agency on how his Agency has dealt with the problems. The study discovered that uncontrolled mining activities in the area had result in land degradation, destruction of forest resources as well as created other environmental problems. This study also discovered that awareness of environmental problems associated with illegal mining is generally low among the people living in the area. Based on these findings, the study recommends the need for extensive geological survey of the area to determine extent of the deposits of the minerals being mined and the need for extensive education of the local people about the adverse effects of uncontrolled mining on the environment.