Evaluation of Water Management Practices at Active Mining Sites in Adamawa State, North East Nigeria

Effective water management is a critical operational and environmental obligation for mining companies, yet practices at mining sites in Adamawa State, North East Nigeria, have not been systematically evaluated in recent years. This study evaluates water management practices at five active mining sites in Adamawa State, focusing on pit water dewatering, process water reuse, and effluent discharge compliance. A site audit methodology was employed, combining physical observation, water balance estimations, and water quality sampling from discharge points and receiving water bodies. Parameters analysed include pH, total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, and heavy metal concentrations. Comparisons were made against the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) effluent limitation guidelines. Findings reveal that three of five sites discharge mine water directly into streams without treatment, exceeding NESREA limits for suspended solids and iron. Process water recycling systems are absent at most sites, leading to excessive freshwater abstraction from streams during the dry season. Practical and low-cost treatment options including passive settling ponds and constructed wetlands are evaluated for their applicability at these sites. Recommendations include the mandatory submission of mine water management plans as part of the mining licence application process and stronger NESREA inspectorate presence in Adamawa State. Keywords: water management, mining, Adamawa State, effluent, NESREA.