ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF QUARRY STONE MINING IN IGEMBE SOUTH SUB COUNTY, MERU COUNTY

There has been concern about the environmental impacts of quarry stone mining on affected areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between quarry stone mining and environmental impacts in Igembe South Sub County, Meru County.Data was collected using from participants' notes to detect mining-related problems, and an informal and formal survey and pair-wise assessment was used. At a 0.05 level of significance, the hypotheses were evaluated. Ho1: Quarry stone mining has no significant environmental impact on the communities in Igembe South Sub-County, Meru County. Information was obtained from 300 respondents through surveys and interviews. Data were analysed using the nearest neighbour analysis method and descriptive means, median, and mode statistics. Further Chi-Square tests were used to generate inferential statistics. Results established that mining activities have damaged land in Igembe South Sub-County, reducing food production and agricultural demands and polluting water supplies in the area, including contaminated streams. Pollution and noise are present in the area. It was affirmed that the residents know the environmental consequences of mining. The research demonstrates that mining has an impact on the environment, as well as community social and economic well-being. In light of the County Government of Meru's efforts at restoration and intervention, such as re-afforestation, the mining companies and the County Government of Meru are reviewing their methods of operation and providing alternatives to the affected areas. Mining's environmental impact should be reduced by rethinking the environmental management strategy.