Sabo A^1,, Sadiq L. S.¹, Gamba J.¹

Artisanal small scale mining of solid minerals has the potential of causing many environmental and health problems. Thus, assessment of ionizing radiation in vulnerable areas is very important from the environmental health point of view. This study was aimed at determining the level of radiation in the vicinity of artisanal gold mining sites in Luku, Niger State, Nigeria. Measurements were made at four different Stations: A, B, C and D using Radiation Inspector Alert meter (EXP⁺ model). The investigation revealed that mean values of 1.66mSv/yr, 1.55, mSv/yr, 1.48mSv/yr and 2.12mSv/yr were recorded for stations A, B, C and D respectively. The radiation levels recorded from all the four sampling stations have exceeded the threshold limit set by the International Commission for Radiological Protection (ICRP) of 1mSv/yr for public exposure. Thus the community is at risk of exposure to high dose of radiation as a result of the artisanal gold mining activities. The adoption of rigorous regulations and implementation of mining-policies such as the Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 which prohibited the illegal exploration and or exploitation of Minerals will play the right role in reducing radiation emissions and their consequential harm to the community and the state economy.

gold, mining, radionuclide, exposure, human health