Despite its contributions to the development of the country, the mining sector in Sierra Leone, has been attributed to a multitude of impacts on the environment. This article focuses on assessing the environmental impacts of mining in mining edge communities in Sierra Leone. A survey of 360 people from three mining edge communities (Sierra Rutile Limited (SRL), Bonthe district; Octea Mining Company (OMC), Kono district and Sierra Leone Mining Company (SLM), Port Loko district) was conducted. Key informant interviews, focus groups, and secondary data sources - Government policies and regulatory documents, government’s Mines Department annual reports-provided data for this article. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System with a mean separation done at α = 0.05 (SAS version 9.4). As a result of mining operations, the rates of deforestation, land degradation and destruction of farmlands, inadequate availability of clean water, poor air quality and noise pollution were the main impacts exacerbated by rutile, iron ore and diamond mining. Strategies as recommended by the local communities to be put in place, to restore ecological function in the mining edge communities include, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Mines and Mineral Agency, and other responsible authorities addressing weakness in mining and environmental policies, thereby strengthening enforcement and monitoring regulations relating to mining operations; and companies embarking on rehabilitation, reclamation, and restoration measures to ensure environmental sustainability.

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环境影响：塞拉利昂选定采矿边缘社区的当地观点

尽管塞拉利昂的采矿业对该国的发展做出了贡献，但它对环境产生了多种影响。本文重点评估塞拉利昂采矿边缘社区采矿对环境的影响。对来自三个采矿边缘社区（Sierra Rutile Limited (SRL)，Bonthe 区；Octea 矿业公司 (OMC)，Kono 区和塞拉利昂矿业公司 (SLM)，Port Loko 区）的 360 人进行了调查。主要知情人访谈、焦点小组和辅助数据来源——政府政策和监管文件、政府矿业部年度报告——为本文提供了数据。使用统计分析系统分析数据，平均分离度为 α = 0.05（SAS 9.4 版）。由于采矿作业，毁林速度、土地退化和农田毁坏、清洁水供应不足、空气质量差和噪音污染是金红石、铁矿石和钻石开采加剧的主要影响。当地社区建议实施的恢复采矿边缘社区生态功能的战略包括环境保护署 (EPA)、矿业和矿产局以及其他负责解决采矿和环境政策薄弱环节的机构，从而加强与采矿作业有关的执法和监测条例；以及开始采取修复、复垦和恢复措施以确保环境可持续性的公司。空气质量差和噪音污染是金红石、铁矿石和钻石开采加剧的主要影响。当地社区建议实施的恢复采矿边缘社区生态功能的战略包括环境保护署 (EPA)、矿业和矿产局以及其他负责解决采矿和环境政策薄弱环节的机构，从而加强与采矿作业有关的执法和监测条例；以及开始采取修复、复垦和恢复措施以确保环境可持续性的公司。空气质量差和噪音污染是金红石、铁矿石和钻石开采加剧的主要影响。当地社区建议实施的恢复采矿边缘社区生态功能的战略包括环境保护署 (EPA)、矿业和矿产局以及其他负责解决采矿和环境政策薄弱环节的机构，从而加强与采矿作业有关的执法和监测条例；以及开始采取修复、复垦和恢复措施以确保环境可持续性的公司。恢复采矿边缘社区的生态功能，包括环境保护署 (EPA)、矿业和矿产局以及其他负责解决采矿和环境政策薄弱环节的机构，从而加强与采矿作业相关的执法和监督法规；以及开始采取修复、复垦和恢复措施以确保环境可持续性的公司。恢复采矿边缘社区的生态功能，包括环境保护署 (EPA)、矿业和矿产局以及其他负责解决采矿和环境政策薄弱环节的机构，从而加强与采矿作业相关的执法和监督法规；以及开始采取修复、复垦和恢复措施以确保环境可持续性的公司。