Vol. 8, Issue 4, Part B (2022)

Abstract
Heavy metals and water quality indices of wells from three artisanal gold mining areas and control were assessed to ascertain the impacts of gold mining in the study area. Mine A (05°45.49'E–11°59.66'N), Mine B (06°19.56'E–12°21.45'N), Mine C (06°22.43'E–12°20.26'N) and mine D (control) (06°08.71'E–12°13.56'N) respectively were measured in order to determine the suitability of the water for consumption. Samples were collected and analysed for physicochemical parameters following the procedures outlined in the standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater while heavy metals were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (GFAAS-AA240FS). The results showed that highest pH was 6.53 in D, the control site while the lowest was 5.02 in Mine C with no significant difference (P>0.05). Among all the sampling stations, highest and lowest DO were 5.25 mg/l and 4.31 mg/l in D and C respectively with a significant difference (P< 0.05) among the sampling stations, while most of the physicochemical parameters were not in compliance with the World Health Organization standards for drinking water. The highest occurring metal was Pb with a concentration of 107.69 mg/l and the lowest was as with a concentration of 1.25 mg/l. All the metals assessed during the duration of study exceeded the World Health Organization’s (WHO) maximum permissible limit in drinking water. Water quality indices showed that Mine C and D wells were poor while A and B wells were very poor for drinking which indicates the impact of artisanal mining carried out in the area and calls for its regulation and provision for safer mining practices to prevent heavy metals poisoning in the mining area.