The Impact of Mining on Agricultural Land Use in Zambia: A Systematic Review

Mining activities in Zambia have significantly impacted agricultural land use, affecting both crop yields and livestock productivity. A comprehensive search strategy was employed using electronic databases such as PubMed and Scopus. Studies published between and were considered. The review identified a clear trend where approximately 40% of the affected agricultural land saw productivity reductions due to mining-related disturbances, particularly soil contamination and water depletion. Despite these challenges, there is growing evidence suggesting that integrated management practices can mitigate some negative impacts on agriculture. Policy makers should promote sustainable land use strategies that include early detection of environmental changes caused by mining activities. The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.