Mapping and Assessment of the Economic Impact of Small-Scale Surface Mining of Alluvial Gold Concentration in Talensi-Nabdam District, Ghana

Abstract

Mapping and analysis of alluvial gold concentrations as well as assessment of the impact of mining activities on the people of Talensi-Nabdam District, Ghana was undertaken. The mining concessions allocated to small-scale miners were surveyed and mapped using Total Station and Electrometric distance measurement equipment. Forty concessions were investigated: the largest covered 28.3ha. Analysis of ore bodies and slope percentage shows that Manganiferous Rock has the highest percentage rate of occupancy (46.5 %) with a slope percentage rate of 0-90%. Sandstone follows with 26.8% rate of occupancy and a slope rate of 0-100%. Sandstone and Quartz field-Spar Porphyry have the highest slope rate within 0-100%. Predictive terrain analysis indicated that the concentrations of the deposits are geographically located within the North-East and South East regions of the study area. Gold production evaluation shows that maximum increament was experieced in the year 2001 with a production unit of 85,596 (Oz). Employment criteria evaluation of socio-economic impact revealed that the number of individuals engaged in the gold mining activity increases annually: from7.3% of the population in 2004 to 20.5% in 2010.

Keywords: Assessment, Socio-economic impact, Surface mining, Terrain analysis, Talensi-Nabdam district.