Small - Scale Surface Mining in Tarkwa - Nsuaem Municipality in Western Ghana and its Effect on Soil Physical Properties

Abstract

Small - scale surface mining in Tarkwa - Nsuaem municipality in western Ghana and its effect on soil physical properties is presented in this study. The rising rate of land degradation by the small - scale surface miners in the study area has created a situation in which farmlands are becoming scarce and farmers are left with no choice than to use mined - out lands. The study set out to measure the physical properties of soil from mined - out lands to determine their suitability for use for agricultural purposes. One set of samples comprising soil from mined and unmined sites were randomly collected using a cylindrical metal core of known volume. After recording their wet weights, the samples were then oven dried at 105°C for 24 hours after which their dry weights were also recorded. The bulk density, porosity, solid space, mass wetness and void ratio were then calculated. The procedure was repeated for three other sites in the study area. The results showed that the mined soil, in its current state, was unsuitable for use by farmers for agricultural purposes because it was compacted, less porous, susceptible to erosion, dry and could barely support plant life. It was recommended that practices that maintain or increase soil organic matter which leads to high pore space and low bulk density be adopted to restore the mined - out lands to their natural state.

Keywords: Bulk density, Porosity, Pore space, Mass wetness, Void ratio