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Geostatistical and geochemical assessment of illegal artisanal mining impacts in Southern Hamisana, Sudan

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  • Abdel Maksoud, Kholoud M.
  • Mostafa, Mouataz T.
  • Sabri, Sabri M.
  • Al-Metwaly, Wael M.

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale illegal mining, characterized by unregulated and environmentally destructive extraction methods, may pose severe environmental impacts. Heavy metal (HM) contamination from artisanal mining in Southern Hamisana, Sudan, was systematically investigated and evaluated. This study assessed HM concentrations, spatial distribution, sources, contamination levels, and associated health risks in 30 surface soil samples using geochemical analysis, statistical techniques, and risk assessment models. Geochemical analysis revealed mean concentrations of 757, 111, and 27 mg/kg for As, Pb, and Hg, respectively, significantly exceeding global background levels. Pearson correlation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were employed to differentiate distinct anthropogenic sources, primarily linked to illegal mining activities, with three components: PC1 (Ni, Cr, Cu); PC2 (As, Hg); and PC3 (Pb, Cd). Pollution indices, including the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and contamination factor (CF), indicated severe contamination, particularly for As (Igeo up to 5.54, CF up to 108.31) and Hg (Igeo up to 6.28, CF up to 116.25). The ecological risk index (RI) highlighted high ecological risk (RI > 600) for Hg and As, with an average RI value of 1500 and a maximum of 5744 at site G17. Health risk assessments revealed significant non-carcinogenic risks for children, with hazard quotient through ingestion (HQing) values of 3.23E+13 for As and 1.15E+12 for Hg, and carcinogenic risks with total carcinogenic risk (TCR) values of 1.46E+10 for As. This evaluation highlights the urgent need for stringent regulatory frameworks and remediation to counter artisanal mining impacts, offering vital insights for effective management and ecosystem restoration in Southern Hamisana.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdel Maksoud, Kholoud M. & Mostafa, Mouataz T. & Sabri, Sabri M. & Al-Metwaly, Wael M., 2025. "Geostatistical and geochemical assessment of illegal artisanal mining impacts in Southern Hamisana, Sudan," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:101:y:2025:i:c:s0301420725000212
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2025.105479
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Josephine Singo & Dingani Moyo & John Bosco Isunju & Stephan Bose-O’Reilly & Nadine Steckling-Muschack & Jana Becker & Antony Mamuse, 2022. "Health and Safety Risk Mitigation among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Zimbabwe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-24, November.
    2. Onour, Ibrahim, 2018. "The cost of mismanagement of gold production in Sudan," MPRA Paper 83921, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Ahmed Elwaleed & Huiho Jeong & Ali H. Abdelbagi & Nguyen Thi Quynh & Willy Cahya Nugraha & Tetsuro Agusa & Yasuhiro Ishibashi & Koji Arizono, 2024. "Assessment of Mercury Contamination in Water and Soil from Informal Artisanal Gold Mining: Implications for Environmental and Human Health in Darmali Area, Sudan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-16, May.
    4. Ranjan, Ram, 2018. "The role of political-industry nexus in promoting illegal extraction of mineral resources and deforestation: A case of iron ore mining in Goa," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 122-136.
    5. Kui Cai & Chang Li & Zefeng Song & Xin Gao & Moxin Wu, 2019. "Pollution and Health Risk Assessment of Carcinogenic Elements As, Cd, and Cr in Multiple Media—A Case of a Sustainable Farming Area in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-22, September.
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