monica A Omulo

Maseno University, Environmental Science, Faculty Member

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Workshop on activities implemented jointly under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for industry

フェムト秒方式においてTi:サファイアレーザを用いたSe‐Sn(Bi,Te)4元カルコゲナイド薄膜の三次光学非線形性の研究

Journal of Electronic Materials, 2017

The Socio-Economic Aspects of Artisanal Gold Mining in Migori District, Kenya

The Socio-Economic Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Developing Countries, 2003

Migori District is located in Nyanza Province of Western Kenya (Fig. 17.1). It lies in the southe... more Migori District is located in Nyanza Province of Western Kenya (Fig. 17.1). It lies in the southern part of the Winam Gulf in Lake Victoria. Here, the gold that occurs in the quartz veins of the Archeaean rocks of the Nyanzian Group was first discovered in 1920. Although episodes of large-scale mining occurred in Nyanza until the mid-1960s, artisanal mining has persisted to date. Currently, mining takes place in the entire district of Rongo in the north, around Migori town in the south, and at Masara and Macalder in the west. Once auriferous quartz veins have been extracted from host rocks, ore is crushed and panned, after which mercury is added to the tiny gold particulates. The processed gold is then sold to local buyers, who are either agents or self-employed in the business. Finally, gold is sold to dealers in Nairobi, although some product lands in the hands of smugglers, who, in turn, transport it out of the country through illegal channels. In Kenya, artisanal gold mining takes place on both farmland and homesteads in the western part of the country; in the Migori, Siaya and Kakamega districts; and in the Turkana district in the north-west. The number of people involved in mining activities countrywide fluctuates from 30,000 during peak periods, to 10,000 during low periods. Despite being renowned for featuring periodic gold rushes, most of the country’s sites are ill-equipped to endure the pressures of rapid population growth, particularly during periods when newlydiscovered gold reefs are intensively worked. Workers are quite mobile, frequently migrating from one mine site to another, depending on the availability of gold. Once a site has been exhausted, water logged, or is considered too dangerous to work, miners simply move to new prospective mining regions. This, however, causes substantial environmental damages. Frequent movement also disrupts family life, particularly children’s education and farming activities. The chapter examines the socio-economic aspects of gold mining and related activities in Migori District, Kenya. It describes the background of mine workers,

Energy use in Kenya

Greenhouse Gas Mitigation, 1998

Geoheritage and Geoparks in Africa and the Middle-East: Challenges and Perspectives

Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism, 2015

ABSTRACT Africa and the Middle East consist of a rich geodiversity, which is regrettably not well... more ABSTRACT Africa and the Middle East consist of a rich geodiversity, which is regrettably not well known by the public. This is due partly to limited research and studies undertaken in geoheritage and geoconservation in these parts of world, especially those with the intent to explore, inventory and valorize such inherent geodiversity. With the aim to improve this situation, the African Geoparks Network (AGN) was created to increase the awareness of the local population and decision makers regarding the need for sustainable use and management of geoheritage in particular for the benefit of local socio-economic sustainable development targets through the promotion of both geotourism and the creation of unique geoparks.

Potential areas for AIJ projects in Kenya

Greenhouse Gas Mitigation, 1998

Natural Disaster Early Warning: The Role of NGOs

Early Warning Systems for Natural Disaster …, Jan 1, 2003

Abstract Inadequate information, poor infrastructure and lack of sufficient human and financial r... more

Frequency and severity of drought in the Lake Victoria region (Kenya) and its effects on food security

Climate …, Jan 1, 2007

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The falling Lake Victoria water level: GRACE, TRIMM and CHAMP satellite analysis of the lake basin

Water Resources …, Jan 1, 2008

In the last 5 years, Lake Victoria water level has seen a dramatic fall that has caused alarm to ... more In the last 5 years, Lake Victoria water level has seen a dramatic fall that has caused alarm to water resource managers. Since the lake basin contributes about 20% of the lakes water in form of discharge, with 80% coming from direct rainfall, this study undertook a satellite analysis of the entire lake basin in an attempt to establish the cause of the decline. Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE), Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) satellites were employed in the analysis. Using 45 months of data spanning a period of 4 years (2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006), GRACE satellite data are used to analyse the variation of the geoid (equipotential surface approximating the mean sea level) triggered by variation in the stored waters within the lake basin. 776 J.L. Awange et al. TRMM Level 3 monthly data for the same period of time are used to compute mean rainfall for a spatial coverage of .25 • × .25 • (25 × 25 km) and the rainfall trend over the same period analyzed. To assess the effect of evaporation, 59 CHAMP satellite's occultation for the period 2001 to 2006 are analyzed for tropopause warming. GRACE results indicate an annual fall in the geoid by 1.574 mm/year during the study period 2002-2006. This fall clearly demonstrates the basin losing water over these period. TRMM results on the other hand indicate the rainfall over the basin (and directly over the lake) to have been stable during this period. The CHAMP satellite results indicate the tropopause temperature to have fallen in 2002 by about 3.9 K and increased by 2.2 K in 2003 and remained above the 189.5 K value of 2002. The tropopause heights have shown a steady increase from a height of 16.72 m in 2001 and has remained above this value reaching a maximum of 17.59 km in 2005, an increase in height by 0.87 m.

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Impact of gold mining on the environment and human health: a case study in the Migori gold belt, Kenya

Environmental Geochemistry and …, Jan 1, 2002

The study of gold sites in the Migori Gold Belt, Kenya, revealed that the concentrations of heavy... more The study of gold sites in the Migori Gold Belt, Kenya, revealed that the concentrations of heavy metals, mainly Hg, Pb and As are above acceptable levels. Tailings at the panning sites recorded values of 6.5-510 mg kg −1 Pb, 0.06-76.0 mg kg −1 As and 0.46-1920 mg kg −1 Hg. Stream sediments had values of 3.0-11075 mg kg −1 Pb, 0.014-1.87 mg kg −1 As and 0.28-348 mg kg −1 Hg. The highest metal contamination was recorded in sediments from the Macalder stream (11075 mg kg −1 Pb), Nairobi mine tailings (76.0 mg kg −1 As) and Mickey tailings (1920 mg kg −1 Hg). Mercury has a long residence time in the environment and this makes its emissions from artisan mining a threat to health. Inhaling large amounts of siliceous dust, careless handling of mercury during gold panning and Au/Hg amalgam processing, existence of water logged pits and trenches; and large number of miners sharing poor quality air in the mines are the major causes of health hazards among miners. The amount of mercury used by miners for gold amalgamation during peak mining periods varies from 150 to 200 kg per month. Out of this, about 40% are lost during panning and 60% lost during heating Au/Hg amalgam. The use of pressure burners to weaken the reef is a deadly mining procedure as hot particles of Pb, As and other sulphide minerals burn the body. Burns become septic. This, apparently, leads to death within 2-3 years. On-site training of miners on safe mining practices met with enthusiasm and acceptance. The use of dust masks, air filters and heavy chemical gloves during mining and mineral processing were readily accepted. Miners were thus advised to purchase such protective gear, and to continue using them for the sake of their health. The miners' workshop, which was held at the end of the project is likely to bear fruit. The Migori District Commissioner and other Government officials, including medical officers attended this workshop. As a result of this, the Government is seriously considering setting up a clinic at Masara, which is one of the mining centres in the district. This would improve the health of the mining community.

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