Crop production potential of reclaimed mine sites for sustainable livelihoods

Published: Nov 24, 2023

Abstract:

Purpose: Potentiality of six reclaimed mine sites for crop production at Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mine was holistically assessed.

Research methodology: Soil pH was traced using HI 9017 microprocessor meter while total nitrogen (TN), organic matter (OM) and organic carbon (OC) were determined by Kjeldahl digestion, distillation and Walkley-Black Methods. Calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium(K), sodium (Na), were further determined in 1.0 M ammonium acetate (NH4OAc) extract, using hydrogen and aluminum in 1.0 M KCl, by EDTA titration and flame photometry.

Results: Optimum soil pH, compared with other parameters down the trend was less than 4.33. In cmolkg-1, OM at Ajopa natural forest soil (2.52) was greater than West Heap (2.08). TN differed significantly (p ? 0.001) such that, Ajopa natural forest (0.13%) was greater than West Heap (0.11%). West Heap Ca (3.52) was greater than Bridge Dump Ground (BDG’s) (1.78) while Mg (1.25) at BDG was greater than West Heap (1.22). West Heap’s K (0.16) was greater than BDG’s (0.13). Sodium was entirely low (< 5 %). But acidity of Ajopa natural forest (1.90) was greater than BDG’s (1.89) while effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) of West Heap (5.95) was greater than BDG’s (4.68).

Limitation: Study sites sparsely located and require more experience to locate sampling points.

Contribution: Analyses clearly revealed poor agglomeration of cation exchange capacities due to inadequate fertility of the seven-year old reclaimed mine sites. Hence, it may not give good crop yields for sustainable economic livelihoods strategies without long-term augmented fertilization and liming.

Keywords:
1. Goldfields
2. Soil fertility
3. Mine reclamation
4. Cation agglomeration
5. Liming
Authors:
1 . Benjamin Makimilua Tiimub
2 . Niyungeko Christophé
3 . Bernice Awusi Atepre
4 . Richard Wonnsibe Tiimob
5 . Gideon Lakida Tiimob
6 . Elisha Nyannube Tiimob
7 . Isaac Baani
8 . Paul Amihere-Ackah
9 . Joan Jackline Agyenta
How to Cite
Tiimub, B. M., Christophé, N., Atepre, B. A., Tiimob, R. W., Tiimob, G. L., Tiimob, E. N., Baani, I., Amihere-Ackah, P., & Agyenta, J. J. (2023). Crop production potential of reclaimed mine sites for sustainable livelihoods. Journal of Multidisciplinary Academic and Practice Studies, 1(1), 83–97. https://doi.org/10.35912/jomaps.v1i1.1785

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