Occupational health risks amongst artisanal and small - scale gold miners in Bindura Township, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale mining is a global mining activity and it is estimated that about 13-20million people in developing countries are artisanal miners who are exposed to numerous health related occupational hazards. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is mainly done in most remote areas and is a source of livelihoods for the poor in such areas. The purpose of this study was to describe the occupational health risks amongst artisanal and small-scale gold miners in Bindura, Zimbabwe. The researcher conducted a quantitative study, using a cross-sectional survey and descriptive design to gather data from 292 artisanal and small-scale gold miners. The study setting included two artisanal mining sites, located in Bindura, Zimbabwe. Convenience sampling was used to select survey respondents from two mining sites; namely, Ran Mine and Kwa Kitsi Mine. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data focusing on respondents’ exposure to physical health, chemical agents, psycho-social and mining equipment-related risks. The collected data was captured, coded and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25.0). Descriptive statistics, frequency tables, graphs, Chi-Squared tests were used to describe trends and patterns in survey data. Research findings established that small-scale gold miners had inadequate physical space to move around, inappropriate temperature regulations and inappropriate ventilation at their workplaces. Chi-Squared tests for relationship revealed that adequacy of ventilation at workplace was significantly related with mining site (Chi-Square = 52.494, p < 0.05). Seventy percent of respondents reported that they sustained work related injuries. Findings show that injuries at work are mainly caused by work related accidents. Most artisanal miners (88%) are exposed to mercury vapour which is hazardous (9 in every 10 artisanal miners are exposed to mercury). All respondents (n = 292; 100%) confirmed that they do not wear personal protective clothing when handling chemicals. The study concludes that artisanal and small-scale gold miners are exposed an array of occupational health risks. Appropriate practice of occupational safety and health should be raised among artisanal miners as well as all individuals responsible for the operations in the mining industry.