A REVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SAND MINING IN THE WEST POINT COMMUNITY, LIBERIA

Abstract

Sand mining is a global sector that has received a lot of attention due to its adverse socio-economic and environmental repercussions as well as its priceless contributions to progress. Sand mining helps cities grow by supplying the building and real estate sectors with the aggregate materials they need, but it also poses a threat to the environment's sustainability, particularly in coastal areas. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the environmental effects of sand mining in West point community, taking into consideration significant environmental effects connected to sand mining activities. In order to meet this aim, the approach that was used was a documentary review, and secondary data was acquired through visiting online libraries, reading published research papers, and reading a variety of books. Results showed that, the ecosystems of the West Point Community have sustained irreparable harm over time as a result of indiscriminate sand mining. Environmental degradation, mostly brought on by illegal sand mining operations, has caused a part of the area to progressively slide into the sea, including the threat to nearby houses and the destruction of wildlife and riparian habitat, loss of aquatic lives A significant gap impeding regulatory efforts and mitigating the negative consequences of river sand mining in West Point is a lack of appropriate information regarding the extent of environmental impacts produced by sand mining. As a result of the detrimental consequences that sand mining has on the neighborhood, the Liberian government has banned mining in a number of locations. The implementation of these protections has proven challenging, and there has not been much of a movement to stop sand mining in the West Point community.