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The environmental impacts of mining on Gishwati Protected Reserve in Rwanda

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Abstract

Gishwati forest is part of Gishwati-Mukura National Park. It has a long history of degradation due to human activities. Despite many efforts initiated to restore and protect this concession, the mining activities continue to affect its biodiversity. This study aims at assessing the impact of mining on the landscape, quality of water, soil, and vegetation in Gishwati and its vicinity. Data were collected from five mining sites and one non-mined control site. Methods included direct field observations of the landscape, physico-chemical analysis of water, mine tailings analysis and vegetation inventory, and measurement of the concentrations of metals/metalloids in both water and soil (mine tailings). The findings revealed that mining has accelerated the erosion and the stream/river sedimentation and has created new landforms around some mining sites. The physico-chemical properties of mine tailings piled and scattered on mining sites are not conducive for biodiversity, and the concentrations of metals and metalloids in the water and soil are generally higher on mining sites than on the non-mined area and even higher than international standards. Such high metal/metalloid concentrations threaten both aquatic and terrestrial life as they are likely to cause the extinction of a good number of vegetation species on mining sites. They may also cause toxicity and lead to migration of a variety of animals living in Gishwati. The study recommends the use of mining best practices to safeguard biodiversity in the Gishwati area.

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Availability of data and materials

We confirm that the raw data used for the preparation of this manuscript are available and they can be sourced from the corresponding author (Innocent Muhire: innocentmuhire@gmail.com).

Notes

  1. Rwanda Water and Forestry Authority https://waterportal.rwfa.rw/sites/default/files/inline-files/Towards%20sustainable%20mining.pdf

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Forest of Hope Association (FHA), a National Rwandan Non-Government Organization (NGO) working on the conservation of the Gishwati-Mukura National Park for providing information and guiding in different sites and ensuring safety in Gishwati area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Rwanda - College of Education, Kigali, Rwanda

    Innocent Muhire, Vincent Manirakiza, Florien Nsanganwimana & Alphonse Uworwabayeho

  2. Environmental Planning, Forest of Hope Association, Gisenyi, Rwanda

    Madeleine Nyiratuza

  3. Botany and Conservation, Forest of Hope Association, Gisenyi, Rwanda

    Thierry Aimable Inzirayineza

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  1. Innocent Muhire
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  2. Vincent Manirakiza
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  3. Florien Nsanganwimana
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  4. Madeleine Nyiratuza
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  6. Alphonse Uworwabayeho
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Contributions

- Innocent Muhire led data analysis and interpretation activity. Along with Florien Nsanganwimana, he was a major contributor in analysis and interpretation of physico-chemical characteristics of water and soil, and concentration of heavy metals and metalloids in water and soils. He compiled the documents from different co-authors into final manuscript.

- Florien Nsanganwimana conducted laboratory tests on physico-chemical characteristics of water and soil, and concentration of heavy metals and metalloids in water and soils. - - He was also a major contributor in analysis and interpretation of physico-chemical characteristics of water, and concentration of heavy metals and metalloids in stream water.

- Vincent Manirakiza prepared the background of the study and he was a major contributor in the analysis and interpretation of the effect of mining on vegetation, and landscape.

- Madeleine Nyiratuza contributed to the analysis and interpretation of laboratory results regarding the concentration of heavy metals and metalloids in soil.

- Alphonse Uworwabayeho analysed and interpreted soil physico-chemical parameters at mining sites.

- Thierry Aimable Inzirayineza led the field data collection exercise and identification of samples to be tested in the Laboratory and took photos on the field.

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Correspondence to Innocent Muhire.

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Muhire, I., Manirakiza, V., Nsanganwimana, F. et al. The environmental impacts of mining on Gishwati Protected Reserve in Rwanda. Environ Monit Assess 193, 600 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09372-9

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