Effect of waste management practices on perceived ecosystem resilience and sustainable development outcomes: a case study of mining activities in Gakenke District, Rwanda

This study assessed the effect of waste management practices on ecosystem resilience (measured through a composite Resilience Index based on vegetation recovery, water safety perception and self-reported land usability) and sustainable development (measured through respondents' perceptions of livelihood, health and compliance outcomes) in artisanal and small-scale mining communities. Location: The research was conducted in Gakenke District, Northern Province, Rwanda. The study was carried out between August 2025 and March 2026. The study focused on waste management practices, perceived ecosystem resilience, sustainable development indicators and water quality parameters, including pH (measured using EPA Method 150.1) and Iron, Chromium and Zinc concentrations (measured using HACH spectrophotometric methods at the UNILAK Environmental Research Laboratory). A mixed-methods approach using descriptive and explanatory research designs was applied. Quantitative data were collected from 370 respondents through structured questionnaires, while 12 key informant interviews provided qualitative insights. Field observations and laboratory analysis of water samples collected from the Busanane, Cyacika and Rutumba rivers near mining sites were conducted using standard procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis with SPSS version 28 at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings show that waste management practices are moderately implemented, and a strong positive and statistically significant relationship exists between waste management practices and perceived ecosystem resilience (r = 0.666, p < 0.05). Laboratory results revealed excessive Iron and Chromium concentrations (Iron up to 21.2 mg/L against a 0.2 mg/L limit; Chromium up to 0.78 mg/L against a 0.05 mg/L limit) exceeding Rwanda national standards, providing evidence consistent with mining-related water contamination. The study found a statistically significant positive relationship between waste management practices and perceived ecosystem resilience and confirmed through laboratory analysis that Iron and Chromium concentrations in mining-affected rivers exceed Rwanda’s permissible limits. Together these findings show that improved waste handling is associated with better perceived environmental stability while the laboratory evidence confirms that current waste management practices are insufficient to prevent water contamination in mining-affected communities. It is recommended that REMA and RMB strengthen monthly enforcement inspections and mandate progressive rehabilitation bonds, mining cooperatives invest in lined tailings containment and role-specific safety training, and district authorities establish community monitoring committees and expand water quality testing to include additional heavy metals. These targeted interventions by specific stakeholders are essential to mitigate environmental degradation and promote sustainable development in artisanal mining communities.