Peer Review: Environmental and health risks related to the activities of SONICHAR, coal mine in Tchirozérine (Niger)

Abstract

The environmental challenge is relatively high in an ecologically fragile area like the Sahel, which has to deal with the phenomena of desertification and loss of biodiversity in which the rural, poor population depends on the natural environment for its survival . Indeed, Niger has a coal basin of Iullemneden; this mineral coal deposit has been exploited since 1978 for the production of electrical energy. This implies a challenge of preserving the environment and its natural resources. It is in this context that the present study aims to analyze the impacts of coal mining and its transformation by SONICHAR on the environment, the health of the populations living near Tchirozérine in order to propose preventive measures, reduction and mitigation. In order to achieve this objective, the methodology adopted for the study consisted of surveys, site visits and field observations. Also, samples of wastewater from the company were collected, transported and analyzed. Directive 019 of March 2011 from Quebec, served as a supporting document for the comparison between the activities carried out by the company and the mining standards. The analysis of the company's activities has shown that most of the company's activities do not comply with the mining standards explicitly mentioned in the Quebec Directive 019. All of the impacts on the physical components of the environment are major impacts, thus calling into question their integrity. The soils and the atmosphere are the units most affected by the activities of this plant. The physico-chemical analysis of the water sample taken showed that this water has concentrations of iron (1.9 mg/l) in fluoride (2.32 mg/l), its alkalinity (510 mg/l ) and bicarbonate (612 mg/l). This shows that the concentration of these elements exceeds the standards. As for the population, the impact on the latter can be described as medium impact. The inhabitants have a remarkable awareness of the environmental and health risks they incur. With more than 46% claiming to have noticed the deterioration of their health. Even those who do not complain about the deterioration of their health, attribute the cause of certain observed diseases such as eye and lung diseases to the activities of the factory.