Geomatics Applications in Environmental Impact Assessment for Mining Projects in Zamfara State

Environmental impact assessments for mining projects in Nigeria require rigorous spatial baseline data collection and monitoring frameworks, yet geomatics applications within the EIA process remain underdeveloped in most state-level regulatory practice. This study examines geomatics applications in the environmental impact assessment process for artisanal and small-scale mining projects in Zamfara State, where gold mining has caused extensive documented environmental and public health damage. A review of twenty recent EIA reports submitted to the Zamfara State Ministry of Environment is conducted to assess the quality and comprehensiveness of geomatics inputs, including baseline maps, monitoring network designs, and spatial impact zones. Structured interviews with EIA practitioners, mining operators, and regulatory officials supplement the document analysis. Findings reveal that the majority of reviewed EIA reports contain spatial data of inadequate resolution, poorly referenced base maps, and monitoring plans with insufficient spatial coverage of downstream impact zones. The study develops a geomatics best-practice framework for EIA spatial data requirements in the mining sector, incorporating UAV baseline surveys, satellite-based change detection monitoring protocols, and GIS-structured impact zone analysis procedures. The framework is evaluated for regulatory feasibility by a panel of seven senior Zamfara State EIA practitioners. Keywords: geomatics, environmental impact assessment, mining, Zamfara State, spatial monitoring.