Impact of mining projects on water and sanitation infrastructures and associated child health outcomes: a multi-country analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Background Access to improved water and sanitation infrastructures are key determinants of health. The sub-Saharan African region in particular is lagging behind the ambitious goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to ensure universal access to improved and reliable water and sanitation for all (Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6). Large mining projects can promote economic growth and hence investments in water and sanitation infrastructures, but at the same time lead to rapid population growth and environmental degradation. In turn, these changes can pose risks and opportunities for child health (SDG 3). In this study we aim to quantify the impacts of mining projects on access to water and sanitation infrastructure as well as diarrhea and malnutrition among children using data from 131 Demographic and Health Surveys from sub-Saharan Africa. Results From a sample of around 1.2 million households, data within the proximity of 52 mine-panels were selected for longitudinal analyses, resulting in 41,896 households and 32,112 children. Improvements in access to modern water and sanitation infrastructures after mine opening were much larger in households near mining sites than in comparison areas located further away (adjusted relative risk ratio (aRRR) water: 18.60, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 13.08–26.46 and aRRR sanitation: 2.56, 95 % CI: 1.32–4.99). However, these associations were weaker among poorer households. In areas close to the mining sites, stunting and underweight prevalence decreased more strongly upon mine opening (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) stunting: 0.62, 95 % CI: 0.43–0.90; aOR underweight: 0.55, 95 % CI: 0.36–0.84). No differential changes were seen for wasting and diarrhea. Large impact heterogeneity was observed both within and across countries. Conclusions Our results suggest that the opening of mines is associated with improvements in access to modern water and sanitation infrastructures (SDG 6) as well as in some health outcomes (SDG 3). However, the large impact heterogeneity suggests that the assessment and management of mining-related impacts on communities should have an increased equity-focus, in order to “leave no one behind” in the work towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Overall, the findings of this study underscore that the resource extraction sector has the potential to make positive and substantial contributions towards achieving the SDGs.

Assessing the effects of mining projects on child health in sub-Saharan Africa: a multi-country analysis

“…In line with this hypothesis, it is argued that the size of primary exports by mines increases in later stages during the resource extraction phase [ 36 , 37 ]. Consequently, they may contribute more to local and national economic growth and potentially ramp up corporate social responsibility activities, such as investments in local water and sanitation infrastructures [ 8 , 36 , 38 , 39 ]. Overall, these results suggest that the impact of mining projects on local development [ 6 , 40 , 41 ] might be an opportunity for African countries to work towards the ambitious target of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to curb infant and under-five mortality [ 42 ].…”

“…Only a few studies examine the effect of mines on child morbidity and malnutrition [ 8 , 14 , 17 ]. Using similar data, Dietler and colleges found no effect of mining activities on diarrhoea prevalence [ 8 ].…”

“…DHS clusters within 50 km of the distance of each mine were selected. Based on previous studies showing that impacts are centralised within 10 km from a mining, project we set the treatment group within this distance range [ 4 , 6 – 8 , 14 , 17 , 30 , 31 ]. Hence, clusters within 10 km from the mine were classified as “impacted clusters” (or treated), while clusters at 10–50 km distance were classified as “comparison clusters” (or controls).…”

“…For example, the development of mining projects has the potential to increase the share of workers with regular incomes – including women of reproductive age [ 4 , 5 ] – and, thus, improves households’ capacity to buy healthier foods, access health care, and send the children to school [ 5 – 7 ]. Furthermore, mining projects can improve housing conditions, including proper sanitation and safe water [ 8 , 9 ]. In turn, better housing, sanitation, and water conditions can reduce the incidence of environment-related diseases such as respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, malaria, and undernutrition [ 10 – 12 ].…”

Estimating the mortality burden of large scale mining projects—Evidence from a prospective mortality surveillance study in Tanzania

“…Given the importance of large mining operations for regional economic development, mining also has the potential to improve other indicators targeted by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-most importantly population health. Recent studies have found positive links between resource rents and life expectancy at the country level [4], and linked resource extraction projects to reduced prevalence of undernutrition and infectious disease [5,6] as well as to reduced incidence of acute and chronic health conditions [7]. Evidence from Ghana [8,9], Tanzania [9] and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) at large [10] also suggests lower infant mortality in regions with mining projects.…”