Mining plays a critical role in economic development, particularly in mineral-rich regions such as Jos and its environs in Nigeria. However, the unchecked expansion of both legal and illegal mining operations has raised growing concerns about environmental sustainability and public health. This study investigates the impacts of mining activities on soil and water quality in selected mining zones around Jos, and compares heavy metal contamination in soils from active mining sites and adjacent communities in Jos Plateau State, Nigeria. The research aimed to evaluate the spatial distribution and ecological risks posed by heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), chromium (Cr), etc. Soil samples were collected from four mining sites (Wildlife Park, Rantiya, Rayfield, and Mista Ali) and nearby residential areas, and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Results revealed severe contamination in mining sites with Cd (2.98 mg/kg mean), Pb (71.26 mg/kg), and Se (67.47 mg/kg) exceeding WHO permissible limits. Community soils showed lower but still concerning levels, indicating pollutant dispersion. Iron concentrations were notably high in Rantiya (982.20 mg/kg), suggesting leaching from mining waste. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences (p < 0.05) between mining and community soils, with strong correlations between metal concentrations and proximity to mining activities. The findings highlight substantial ecological and public health risks, including potential bioaccumulation in crops and chronic exposure hazards. Immediate interventions are recommended. This study underscores the need for sustainable mining practices to mitigate long-term ecological degradation in the Jos Plateau region. In conclusion, effective remediation efforts and policy reforms are crucial to mitigate the harmful impacts of mining activities and to safeguard environmental and human health in the region.

Aremu, O. S., Olayinka, K. O., & Adedokun, A. H. (2020). Selenium contamination and bioaccumulation in soil-plant systems in Nigerian mining regions: A public health perspective. Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research,10(2), 124–132. Alloway, B. J. (2013). Heavy metals in soils: Trace metals and metalloids in soils and their bioavailability (3rd ed.). Springer. Amusan, A. A., Ige, D. V., & Olawale, R. (2005). Characteristics of soils and crops’ uptake of metals in municipal waste dump sites in Nigeria. Journal of Human Ecology, 17(3), 167–171. APHA (American Public Health Association). (2017). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater (23rd ed.). Washington, DC: APHA. Bamidele, O. O., Olatunji, M. T., & Obasi, R. A. (2017).Assessment of heavy metal contamination in soils of mining areas in the Jos Plateau. Environmental Pollution and Toxicology, 13(4), 98–106. Cukrowska, E., McCarthy, T. S., & Naicker, K. (2005).Mercury contamination in gold mining areas of the Amazon Basin. Environmental Pollution, 137(2), 277–284. Detmann, E., Souza, A. L. F., Valadares Filho, S. C., & Queiroz, A. C. (2015). Evaluation of nitric: perchloric acid ratios for digestion of biological samples: Effect on recovery of minerals and metals. Journal of Analytical Science, 10(4), 391–398. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4647103/ Ekere, N. R., Chukwu, A. U., & Olojede, A. O. (2022).Assessment of heavy metals in soils and edible crops around mining sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.Environmental Earth Sciences, 81(6), 237. FAO. (2006). Guidelines for soil description (4th edition.). Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Jarup, L. (2003). Hazards of heavy metal contamination. British Medical Bulletin, 68(1), 167–182. https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldg032 Jarup, L., & Akesson, A. (2009). Current status of cadmium as an environmental health problem. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 238(3), 201–208. Jia, Y., Wang, L., & Chen, J. (2005). Distribution and mobility of heavy metals in mining-impacted soils. Environmental Geology, 47(6), 855–861. Kabata-Pendias, A., & Mukherjee, A. B. (2007). Trace elements from soil to human. Springer. Kotaś, J., &Stasicka, Z. (2000). Chromiumoccurrence in the environment and methods of its speciation. Environmental Pollution, 107(3), 263–283. Lo, Y. M., Fadiran, A. O., & Mbongwe, B. (2012). Assessment of heavy metal pollution in soils from a mining area in Zamfara State, Nigeria. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 6(8), 280–292. NEMI (National Environmental Methods Index).(n.d.). Standard Methods 3030H: Nitric and Perchloric Acid Digestion. https://www.nemi.gov/methods/method_summary/4694/ NESREA (Nigerian Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency). (2011). National Environmental (Soil Quality) Regulations, 2011. Nriagu, J. O. (1988). A history of pollution in the world’s oceans. In J. O. Nriagu (Ed.), The oceanic environment (pp. 1–15). Springer. Obaje, N. G., Adekeye, O. A., & Shekwolo, P. D. (2021). Environmental geochemistry of soils around lead-zinc mines in Ishiagu, southeastern Nigeria. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 193, Article 685. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09364-5 Oladipo, O. G., Olayinka, A. I., & Awotoye, O. O. (2014). Ecological impact of mining on soils of Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology, 8(11), 59–66. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274383275 Olumuyiwa, T. O., Akinbile, C. O., & Ogunwale, A. O. (2018). Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in soil and vegetation around Jos Plateau, Nigeria.Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(8), 7536–7544. Onwubuya, C., Ibe, F. C., & Okafor, U. S. (2022). Heavy metal distribution in soils around abandoned mines in southeastern Nigeria: Risk and spatial patterns. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 79(4), 512–529. Orosun, M. M., Inuyomi, S. O., Usikalu, M., & Okoro, H. K. (2023).Heavy metal contamination of selected mining fields in North‑Central Nigeria.MethodsX, 10(4), 102201. Oti, W. J. (2015). Assessment of toxic heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils and selected food crops in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 22(7), 5585–5595. Samaila, A., Akpaneno, F. A. & Abubakar, H. (2025). Exploration of Heavy Metals Concentration and Variation in Some Selected Borehole Water from Daura Local Government, Katsina State. Nigeria. Journal of Basics and Applied Sciences Research, 3(4), 30-39. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jobasr.v3i4.5 Ščančar, J., Milačič, R., & Zuliani, T. (2010). Assessment of heavy metals in soils of the Sava River Basin. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 168(1), 215–228. Shehu, J., Alhassan, U. D., Rafiu, A. A., Idris-Nda, A., & Alkali, A. (2023). Assessment of physicochemical qualities of soil at Kataeregi mining site, Niger State, Nigeria. International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, 7(4), 85–89. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20220704.11 USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). (2002). Guidance on choosing a sampling design for environmental data collection (EPA QA/G-5S). Washington, DC: USEPA. USEPA. (2025). SW-846 Compendium Update VII: Method 3050B - Acid digestion of sediments, sludges, and soils. Washington, DC: United States Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/hw-sw846 WHO (World Health Organization). (2007). Health risks of heavy metals from long-range transboundary air pollution. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe. Wu, C., Li, F., Xu, L., & Zheng, Y. (2020). Selenium contamination, bioaccumulation, and risk assessment in mining areas: A global perspective. Science of the Total Environment, 703, 135504.