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<p>Mining activities are expanding across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), often occurring near rivers, lakes, and hydrogeologically sensitive aquifer systems that support drinking-water supply, agriculture, and ecosystem services. Yet regional-scale comparisons of where mining most threatens water resources remain limited. This study provides a continental perspective by assessing hydrogeological vulnerability associated with mining proximity in four mineral-intensive countries—Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The assessment focuses on the relative exposure of karst aquifers, major river networks, and lake basins to nearby mining operations. The findings reveal clear differences in vulnerability across the four countries. Nigeria and Tanzania show the highest exposure, with mining sites frequently located near shallow carbonate terrains, groundwater recharge zones, and dense river systems that facilitate rapid contaminant transport. South Africa and the DRC display greater average separation between mining activities and major water bodies, although legacy mining, tailings, and artisanal gold extraction create severe localised risks. These hotspots highlight areas where historical and unregulated mining remain persistent threats to both groundwater and surface-water quality. The novelty of this study lies in offering one of the first unified spatial comparisons of mining–water interactions across multiple SSA countries, demonstrating how national patterns of exposure differ despite shared environmental pressures. By identifying continental-scale hotspots of hydrogeological vulnerability in data-scarce regions, the study provides a practical evidence base for improving environmental monitoring, guiding land-use planning, and strengthening regulatory buffers around sensitive aquifer and surface-water systems. These findings are intended to support more proactive and hydrogeologically informed governance of mining landscapes across the region.</p>

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Geospatial modelling of potential mining impacts on karst aquifers and surface waters in four Sub-Saharan African countries

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月16日

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  • Grace Nkechinyere Ijoma,
  • Carol Nonkululeko Duma,
  • Simbarashe Jombo,
  • Mohlehli George Mohlehli,
  • Yingisani Chabalala,
  • Henry Joseph Oduor Ogola

摘要

Mining activities are expanding across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), often occurring near rivers, lakes, and hydrogeologically sensitive aquifer systems that support drinking-water supply, agriculture, and ecosystem services. Yet regional-scale comparisons of where mining most threatens water resources remain limited. This study provides a continental perspective by assessing hydrogeological vulnerability associated with mining proximity in four mineral-intensive countries—Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The assessment focuses on the relative exposure of karst aquifers, major river networks, and lake basins to nearby mining operations. The findings reveal clear differences in vulnerability across the four countries. Nigeria and Tanzania show the highest exposure, with mining sites frequently located near shallow carbonate terrains, groundwater recharge zones, and dense river systems that facilitate rapid contaminant transport. South Africa and the DRC display greater average separation between mining activities and major water bodies, although legacy mining, tailings, and artisanal gold extraction create severe localised risks. These hotspots highlight areas where historical and unregulated mining remain persistent threats to both groundwater and surface-water quality. The novelty of this study lies in offering one of the first unified spatial comparisons of mining–water interactions across multiple SSA countries, demonstrating how national patterns of exposure differ despite shared environmental pressures. By identifying continental-scale hotspots of hydrogeological vulnerability in data-scarce regions, the study provides a practical evidence base for improving environmental monitoring, guiding land-use planning, and strengthening regulatory buffers around sensitive aquifer and surface-water systems. These findings are intended to support more proactive and hydrogeologically informed governance of mining landscapes across the region.