This study assessed the impacts of artisanal mining activities on physicochemical water quality parameters in Nassarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State, Nigeria—a region characterized by intensive extraction of gemstones, lithium, and base metals. Fifteen water samples (5 surface, 7 wells, 3 boreholes) within 40–150 m of mining sites were analyzed for key parameters using standardized field protocols. Results indicated that Turbidity consistently exceeded the WHO limit (5 NTU) marginally in 87% of samples (mean: 5.47 NTU), with surface waters most affected, implicating sediment loading from ore washing. pH varied significantly across sources (ANOVA, p = 0.049), ranging from 6.09–7.50 (mean: 6.99), though all values remained within permissible limits (6.5–8.5). Other parameters like the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Salinity, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), and Temperature complied with WHO/SON guidelines and standards respectively - showing no significant spatial variation (p > 0.05). Elevated TDS (max: 487 mg/L) at three sites suggested localized mining contamination. Distance from mining sites showed no statistically significant correlation with water quality degradation. The study concludes that while most physicochemical parameters remain safe, pervasive turbidity poses risks for aquatic ecosystems and human health, necessitating sediment control measures in mining-affected watersheds.
Ewuga et al. (Wed,) studied this question.