**2.2 Sampling (material) description**

In a bid to assess the level of trace metal contamination in the mine tailings, about 2 kilograms of 20 representative tailing samples were obtained from the dump. Preceding the removal of top tailing samples (2 cm) using an auger, samples were taken at a depth of 10 cm for every 50 m horizontal interval for a wider coverage. The collected soil samples (tailings) were kept cool in an icebox (<4°C) and transported to the laboratory for further analyses in sterile plastic bags.
