Evaluating the Impact of Mining on Natural Vegetation Cover Changes in Logo Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria (2019–2023).

Abstract:

The extraction of valuable minerals necessitates extensive land clearance, which can result in the degradation of forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas with cascading effect on the environment and livelihoods. To examine the impact of mining activities on vegetal cover in Ayilamo, Akpena and Fifo, Logo Local Government Area, Benue State, Quckbird Satellite imagery interpretation was used on three (3) locations between intermittent years of 2019, 2021 and 2023. Remote Sensing and GIS techniques were applied to measure vegetation loss, calculate the Rate of Conversion (RoC) of land cover in the mining sites, and identify the most affected areas. Among the nine locations studied, Ayilamo and Akpena recorded the highest RoC values for vegetation loss at -4.94 ha/year and -4.53 ha/year, respectively. Conversely, Fofi exhibited the lowest RoC at -0.36 ha/year between 2021 and 2023. Field observations corroborated these findings, showing areas of scant vegetation and bare landscapes dominated by mining pits and waste. These patterns highlight the profound ecological disruption caused by mining, with vegetation loss exacerbating soil erosion and habitat degradation. The study concluded that mining activities are a significant driver of land cover change within the study region, necessitating immediate action. Recommendations include the enforcement of stricter environmental regulations, promotion of reforestation programmes, and sustainable mining practices to mitigate further ecological degradation.