Abstract Cyanide, a carbon-nitrogen radical, is a major building block in many industries including pharmaceuticals, petrochemical and gold processing. In the gold extraction industry, cyanide has been the universal lixiviant for over a century due to better understood process chemistry, among others. Industries that discharge cyanide-laden effluents are mandated to keep concentrations below 0.2 mg/L to prevent death by cyanide-intoxification, which occurs when cyanide binds to key iron-containing enzymes and prevent them from supplying oxygen-containing blood to the tissues. Techniques used to attenuate cyanide in wastewater can broadly be grouped into chemical, physical and biological methods. In recent times, attention has been placed on biotechnological methods, which make use of cyanotrophic microorganisms to clean up cyanide-contaminated environments. This paper reports on studies set out to assess the ability of Phanerochaete chrysosporium to degrade cyanide under different conditions including changes in cyanide concentration, culture mass, time, closed system and open system. At the end of 24-hour contact in an open agitated system with initial pH of 11.5, a control experiment using 100 mg/L cyanide revealed a natural attenuation of 15% with pH decreasing to 9.88, while the best myco-detoxification of 85% was achieved by contacting 100 mg/L cyanide with 0.5 g culture mass, translating into degradation capacity of 17.2 mg/g (milligram of cyanide per gram of culture) with pH reducing to 8.4 in 24 hours. The degradation could be based on a number of mechanisms including hydrolysis to HCN, oxidation to cyanyl radical and cyanate due to natural attenuation through atmospheric contact, and secretion of organic acid, oxidative enzymes, and hydrogen peroxide by the fungus. Keywords: Cyanotrophic Organism, Myco-Detoxification, Cyanide-Laden Effluents, pH
{"title":"Detoxification of Cyanide Wastewater by Cyanotrophic Organisms: the case of Phanerochaete chrysosporium","authors":"G. Ofori-Sarpong, A. Adam, R. Amankwah","doi":"10.4314/gm.v20i1.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/gm.v20i1.4","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract \u0000Cyanide, a carbon-nitrogen radical, is a major building block in many industries including pharmaceuticals, petrochemical and gold processing. In the gold extraction industry, cyanide has been the universal lixiviant for over a century due to better understood process chemistry, among others. Industries that discharge cyanide-laden effluents are mandated to keep concentrations below 0.2 mg/L to prevent death by cyanide-intoxification, which occurs when cyanide binds to key iron-containing enzymes and prevent them from supplying oxygen-containing blood to the tissues. Techniques used to attenuate cyanide in wastewater can broadly be grouped into chemical, physical and biological methods. In recent times, attention has been placed on biotechnological methods, which make use of cyanotrophic microorganisms to clean up cyanide-contaminated environments. This paper reports on studies set out to assess the ability of Phanerochaete chrysosporium to degrade cyanide under different conditions including changes in cyanide concentration, culture mass, time, closed system and open system. At the end of 24-hour contact in an open agitated system with initial pH of 11.5, a control experiment using 100 mg/L cyanide revealed a natural attenuation of 15% with pH decreasing to 9.88, while the best myco-detoxification of 85% was achieved by contacting 100 mg/L cyanide with 0.5 g culture mass, translating into degradation capacity of 17.2 mg/g (milligram of cyanide per gram of culture) with pH reducing to 8.4 in 24 hours. The degradation could be based on a number of mechanisms including hydrolysis to HCN, oxidation to cyanyl radical and cyanate due to natural attenuation through atmospheric contact, and secretion of organic acid, oxidative enzymes, and hydrogen peroxide by the fungus. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: Cyanotrophic Organism, Myco-Detoxification, Cyanide-Laden Effluents, pH","PeriodicalId":12530,"journal":{"name":"Ghana Mining Journal","volume":"359 1","pages":"34-44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80209541","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Classifying Mn Ore to improve upon the grade and the properties has become a crucial activity for the Mn industry since it increases the market value of the ore. Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) has renovated their oxide washing plant by integrating it with a spiral classifier to make a batch system operating process. Particle size of <3.35mm (Mn grade of 43-47%) obtained from the primary section of the plant served as feed to the classifier and with the plant condition (i.e. at 60 min washing time, 30 rev/min speed of spirals and feed tonnage of 6 t), Mn grade of 49% was achieved. This paper focused on the optimisation of some selected operational parameters of the classifier to obtain a Mn grade >50% using Design of Experiment (DOE). Series of test works were designed using the DOE for the classifier using the constraints of washing time (30-90 min), speed of spirals (20-40 rev/min) and feed tonnage (6-9 t). The outcome of the test work after simulation showed that all the selected parameters had a great influence on Mn grade. The spiral speed and feed tonnage correlated negatively to the Mn grade with washing time correlating positively. Operating the spiral classifier at a feed rate, spiral speed and washing time of 6 t, 25 rev/min, and 30 min, respectively, yielded Mn grade of 53%. A Confirmatory test using the established conditions gave a Mn grade of 53%, which is a 4% increment in the previous Mn grade which was 47%. The outcome of the studies is the new established operational conditions which is adhered to by the plant, producing a manganese concentrate grade ranging between 52-54%. Keywords: Design of Experiment (DOE), Spiral Classifier, Grade, Manganese
{"title":"Optimisation of Operational Parameters of a Spiral Classifier Using Design of Experiment (DOE)","authors":"K. Ackah, C. Owusu, F. Amoah","doi":"10.4314/gm.v20i1.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/gm.v20i1.5","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract \u0000Classifying Mn Ore to improve upon the grade and the properties has become a crucial activity for the Mn industry since it increases the market value of the ore. Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) has renovated their oxide washing plant by integrating it with a spiral classifier to make a batch system operating process. Particle size of <3.35mm (Mn grade of 43-47%) obtained from the primary section of the plant served as feed to the classifier and with the plant condition (i.e. at 60 min washing time, 30 rev/min speed of spirals and feed tonnage of 6 t), Mn grade of 49% was achieved. This paper focused on the optimisation of some selected operational parameters of the classifier to obtain a Mn grade >50% using Design of Experiment (DOE). Series of test works were designed using the DOE for the classifier using the constraints of washing time (30-90 min), speed of spirals (20-40 rev/min) and feed tonnage (6-9 t). The outcome of the test work after simulation showed that all the selected parameters had a great influence on Mn grade. The spiral speed and feed tonnage correlated negatively to the Mn grade with washing time correlating positively. Operating the spiral classifier at a feed rate, spiral speed and washing time of 6 t, 25 rev/min, and 30 min, respectively, yielded Mn grade of 53%. A Confirmatory test using the established conditions gave a Mn grade of 53%, which is a 4% increment in the previous Mn grade which was 47%. The outcome of the studies is the new established operational conditions which is adhered to by the plant, producing a manganese concentrate grade ranging between 52-54%. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: Design of Experiment (DOE), Spiral Classifier, Grade, Manganese","PeriodicalId":12530,"journal":{"name":"Ghana Mining Journal","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87245897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Groundwater, traditionally extracted from hand-dug wells and boreholes is the main drinking water source in the Northern Region of Ghana. Many boreholes have been constructed in the region to increase accessibility to potable water mainly as part of rural water supply projects where borehole siting has to be relatively cheaper. These projects have resulted in low success rates of borehole drilling because of the application of inefficient and simple geophysical techniques supposed to be cheaper. Field surveys were conducted with the Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) technique, Electrokinetic System (EKS) sounding technique and Radon (222Rn) technique with the objectives of determining the best geophysical methods for borehole siting and its efficiency in the Volta Basin (VB) in the Northern Region of Ghana. The surveys were conducted at stations of existing dry and positive boreholes. Results show that the three geophysical techniques are efficient to identify groundwater accumulation zones. The ERI, EKS and 222Rn are efficient to identify discontinuities, calculate hydraulic conductivity of discontinuities and identify areas of water circulation respectively. It is recommended that the ERI be used to obtain discontinuities and weak zones for drilling on rural water supply projects in the VB. The EKS and 222Rn should be conducted to evaluate these features when high yield boreholes are required. Keywords: Geophysical Techniques, Volta Basin, Borehole Drilling, Success Rates
{"title":"Efficacy of Geophysical Techniques for Groundwater Exploration in the Volta Basin, Northern Region of Ghana","authors":"A. Ewusi, J. Seidu","doi":"10.4314/gm.v20i1.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/gm.v20i1.2","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract \u0000Groundwater, traditionally extracted from hand-dug wells and boreholes is the main drinking water source in the Northern Region of Ghana. Many boreholes have been constructed in the region to increase accessibility to potable water mainly as part of rural water supply projects where borehole siting has to be relatively cheaper. These projects have resulted in low success rates of borehole drilling because of the application of inefficient and simple geophysical techniques supposed to be cheaper. Field surveys were conducted with the Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) technique, Electrokinetic System (EKS) sounding technique and Radon (222Rn) technique with the objectives of determining the best geophysical methods for borehole siting and its efficiency in the Volta Basin (VB) in the Northern Region of Ghana. The surveys were conducted at stations of existing dry and positive boreholes. Results show that the three geophysical techniques are efficient to identify groundwater accumulation zones. The ERI, EKS and 222Rn are efficient to identify discontinuities, calculate hydraulic conductivity of discontinuities and identify areas of water circulation respectively. It is recommended that the ERI be used to obtain discontinuities and weak zones for drilling on rural water supply projects in the VB. The EKS and 222Rn should be conducted to evaluate these features when high yield boreholes are required. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: Geophysical Techniques, Volta Basin, Borehole Drilling, Success Rates","PeriodicalId":12530,"journal":{"name":"Ghana Mining Journal","volume":"68 1","pages":"11-19"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74698505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN) is an artificial intelligence technique that has seen several applications in many fields of science and engineering. It is well-known that, the critical task in developing an effective and accurate BPNN model depends on an appropriate training algorithm, transfer function, number of hidden layers and number of hidden neurons. Despite the numerous contributing factors for the development of a BPNN model, training algorithm is key in achieving optimum BPNN model performance. This study is focused on evaluating and comparing the performance of 13 training algorithms in BPNN for the prediction of blast-induced ground vibration. The training algorithms considered include: Levenberg-Marquardt, Bayesian Regularisation, Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (BFGS) Quasi-Newton, Resilient Backpropagation, Scaled Conjugate Gradient, Conjugate Gradient with Powell/Beale Restarts, Fletcher-Powell Conjugate Gradient, Polak-Ribiere Conjugate Gradient, One Step Secant, Gradient Descent with Adaptive Learning Rate, Gradient Descent with Momentum, Gradient Descent, and Gradient Descent with Momentum and Adaptive Learning Rate. Using ranking values for the performance indicators of Mean Squared Error (MSE), correlation coefficient (R), number of training epoch (iteration) and the duration for convergence, the performance of the various training algorithms used to build the BPNN models were evaluated. The obtained overall ranking results showed that the BFGS Quasi-Newton algorithm outperformed the other training algorithms even though the Levenberg Marquardt algorithm was found to have the best computational speed and utilised the smallest number of epochs. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Blast-induced Ground Vibration, Backpropagation Training Algorithms
{"title":"Performance Evaluation of Training Algorithms in Backpropagation Neural Network Approach to Blast-Induced Ground Vibration Prediction","authors":"Clement Kweku Arthur, V. Temeng, Y. Ziggah","doi":"10.4314/gm.v20i1.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/gm.v20i1.3","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract \u0000Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN) is an artificial intelligence technique that has seen several applications in many fields of science and engineering. It is well-known that, the critical task in developing an effective and accurate BPNN model depends on an appropriate training algorithm, transfer function, number of hidden layers and number of hidden neurons. Despite the numerous contributing factors for the development of a BPNN model, training algorithm is key in achieving optimum BPNN model performance. This study is focused on evaluating and comparing the performance of 13 training algorithms in BPNN for the prediction of blast-induced ground vibration. The training algorithms considered include: Levenberg-Marquardt, Bayesian Regularisation, Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (BFGS) Quasi-Newton, Resilient Backpropagation, Scaled Conjugate Gradient, Conjugate Gradient with Powell/Beale Restarts, Fletcher-Powell Conjugate Gradient, Polak-Ribiere Conjugate Gradient, One Step Secant, Gradient Descent with Adaptive Learning Rate, Gradient Descent with Momentum, Gradient Descent, and Gradient Descent with Momentum and Adaptive Learning Rate. Using ranking values for the performance indicators of Mean Squared Error (MSE), correlation coefficient (R), number of training epoch (iteration) and the duration for convergence, the performance of the various training algorithms used to build the BPNN models were evaluated. The obtained overall ranking results showed that the BFGS Quasi-Newton algorithm outperformed the other training algorithms even though the Levenberg Marquardt algorithm was found to have the best computational speed and utilised the smallest number of epochs. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Blast-induced Ground Vibration, Backpropagation Training Algorithms","PeriodicalId":12530,"journal":{"name":"Ghana Mining Journal","volume":"10 1","pages":"20-33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85321411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Satellite positioning technique such as Global Positioning System (GPS) is available to all countries for geospatial positioning. The availability of such positioning technique has revolutionised surveying in Ghana. The GPS operates on a global reference frame to fix control points for surveying and mapping purposes. There is therefore the need to transform coordinates from the satellite-based datum to the Ghana War Office 1926 datum. Several iterative methods have been proposed over the years for coordinate transformation and have been found to exhibit good transformation accuracy. However, these iterative methods always demand the linearisation of the transformation model equations and initial approximation values of the yet to be determined transformation parameters. These computational processes further enhance the computational complexity of the iterative methods and longer convergence time. As alternative solution, the Procrustes method has been proposed and applied to solve coordinate transformation problems in different geodetic reference networks. Review of previous studies indicates that the Procrustes method is direct, simple to use and produce satisfactory transformation accuracy. This method, however, is yet to be applied to ascertain its efficiency in the Ghana geodetic reference network. Therefore, this study utilised the 3D Procrustean approach to transform coordinates from World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84) to Ghana War Office 1926 reference datum. The technique produced Root Mean Square Horizontal Error (RMSHE), Arithmetic Mean of the Horizontal Error (AMHE) and Standard Deviation (SD) values of 1.003 m, 0.901 m and 0.452 m, respectively. This study is serving as an extension to the ongoing research works to determine optimal transformation model for Ghana geodetic reference network. Keywords: Procrustean Approach, Coordinate Transformation, Conformal Model, Satellite Positioning
{"title":"A 3D Procrustean Approach to Transform WGS84 Coordinates to Ghana War Office 1926 Reference Datum","authors":"B. Kumi-Boateng, Y. Ziggah","doi":"10.4314/gm.v20i1.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/gm.v20i1.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract \u0000Satellite positioning technique such as Global Positioning System (GPS) is available to all countries for geospatial positioning. The availability of such positioning technique has revolutionised surveying in Ghana. The GPS operates on a global reference frame to fix control points for surveying and mapping purposes. There is therefore the need to transform coordinates from the satellite-based datum to the Ghana War Office 1926 datum. Several iterative methods have been proposed over the years for coordinate transformation and have been found to exhibit good transformation accuracy. However, these iterative methods always demand the linearisation of the transformation model equations and initial approximation values of the yet to be determined transformation parameters. These computational processes further enhance the computational complexity of the iterative methods and longer convergence time. As alternative solution, the Procrustes method has been proposed and applied to solve coordinate transformation problems in different geodetic reference networks. Review of previous studies indicates that the Procrustes method is direct, simple to use and produce satisfactory transformation accuracy. This method, however, is yet to be applied to ascertain its efficiency in the Ghana geodetic reference network. Therefore, this study utilised the 3D Procrustean approach to transform coordinates from World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84) to Ghana War Office 1926 reference datum. The technique produced Root Mean Square Horizontal Error (RMSHE), Arithmetic Mean of the Horizontal Error (AMHE) and Standard Deviation (SD) values of 1.003 m, 0.901 m and 0.452 m, respectively. This study is serving as an extension to the ongoing research works to determine optimal transformation model for Ghana geodetic reference network. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: Procrustean Approach, Coordinate Transformation, Conformal Model, Satellite Positioning","PeriodicalId":12530,"journal":{"name":"Ghana Mining Journal","volume":"51 1","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80733401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract This paper sought to explore the impact of crude oil price changes on economic welfare in Ghana. The paper employed the Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) estimation technique on an annual time series data spanning 1983 – 2017. The findings revealed that crude oil price changes have a negative and significant impact on economic welfare in the short and long run, albeit marginal. In terms of covariates, the findings revealed that trade openness and gross fixed capital formation have positive and significant impact whilst interest rate have negative impact on economic welfare in both the short and long run. Foreign direct investment had a positive effect, albeit insignificant. The paper recommends among others, the hedging of prices with respect to imported crude oil so as to manage the risks associated with crude oil price changes on economic welfare. Keywords: Economic Welfare; Crude Oil Prices Changes; Autoregressive Distributed Lag; Ghana
{"title":"Do Crude Oil Price Changes Affect Economic Welfare? Empirical Evidence from Ghana","authors":"Kofi Kamasa","doi":"10.4314/gm.v20i1.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/gm.v20i1.6","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract \u0000This paper sought to explore the impact of crude oil price changes on economic welfare in Ghana. The paper employed the Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) estimation technique on an annual time series data spanning 1983 – 2017. The findings revealed that crude oil price changes have a negative and significant impact on economic welfare in the short and long run, albeit marginal. In terms of covariates, the findings revealed that trade openness and gross fixed capital formation have positive and significant impact whilst interest rate have negative impact on economic welfare in both the short and long run. Foreign direct investment had a positive effect, albeit insignificant. The paper recommends among others, the hedging of prices with respect to imported crude oil so as to manage the risks associated with crude oil price changes on economic welfare. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: Economic Welfare; Crude Oil Prices Changes; Autoregressive Distributed Lag; Ghana","PeriodicalId":12530,"journal":{"name":"Ghana Mining Journal","volume":"3 1","pages":"51-58"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72769440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract In recent times there have been lots of public outcry on the environmental and public health and safety effects of Artisanal and Small-scale gold Mining (ASM) and the need to monitor ASM activities for reclamation purposes. To effectively develop and deploy policy responses to the environmental and human health effects of ASM, knowledge of the locations and distribution of ASM sites is a prerequisite. However, information regarding ASM hotspots and spatial distribution, the scope and types of ASM operations are hard to find. Therefore, this research was designed to use satellite-based data to map out ASM sites, focusing on the Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality as the study area. Several image processing techniques were applied on a Landsat 8 satellite image downloaded from the US Geological Survey website. The image processing resulted in the identification of 221 clusters of ASM sites, representing 12.72% of the total size of the study area. To further explore the effects of these ASM sites, Areas of Interest (AOI) including forest reserve, rivers, large-scale mines and urban settlements were defined. By selecting and analysing the location and distribution of the ASM sites in relations to the AOI, the study was effective in identifying environmentally sensitive and critical areas warranting the urgent attention of society to mitigate the health, safety and ecosystem service effects of ASM in the study area. By identifying the environmental sensitive areas being affected by ASM, the findings could support the prioritisation of reclamation efforts. Keywords: Artisanal Small-Scale Mining, Satellite Image, Environmental Effect, Public Health and Safety
{"title":"Spatial Analysis of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of Ghana","authors":"B. Kumi-Boateng, E. Stemn","doi":"10.4314/gm.v20i1.8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/gm.v20i1.8","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract \u0000In recent times there have been lots of public outcry on the environmental and public health and safety effects of Artisanal and Small-scale gold Mining (ASM) and the need to monitor ASM activities for reclamation purposes. To effectively develop and deploy policy responses to the environmental and human health effects of ASM, knowledge of the locations and distribution of ASM sites is a prerequisite. However, information regarding ASM hotspots and spatial distribution, the scope and types of ASM operations are hard to find. Therefore, this research was designed to use satellite-based data to map out ASM sites, focusing on the Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality as the study area. Several image processing techniques were applied on a Landsat 8 satellite image downloaded from the US Geological Survey website. The image processing resulted in the identification of 221 clusters of ASM sites, representing 12.72% of the total size of the study area. To further explore the effects of these ASM sites, Areas of Interest (AOI) including forest reserve, rivers, large-scale mines and urban settlements were defined. By selecting and analysing the location and distribution of the ASM sites in relations to the AOI, the study was effective in identifying environmentally sensitive and critical areas warranting the urgent attention of society to mitigate the health, safety and ecosystem service effects of ASM in the study area. By identifying the environmental sensitive areas being affected by ASM, the findings could support the prioritisation of reclamation efforts. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: Artisanal Small-Scale Mining, Satellite Image, Environmental Effect, Public Health and Safety","PeriodicalId":12530,"journal":{"name":"Ghana Mining Journal","volume":"37 4 1","pages":"66-74"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90465712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Man has contributed to land cover alteration since time-immemorial through clearing of land for residential, agriculture, recreational and industrial purposes. The emergence of adapting wild plants and animals for human use as well as industrialisation have also contributed to the alteration of land cover. Over the years, anthropogenic activities have had great impact on the Weija catchment. This study seeks to map the catchment and determine the impact of anthropogenic activities using Remote Sensing techniques. Observations and measurements were made on the field as well as classification of land cover using Landsat images of years 1991, 2003 and 2017. Results showed an increase in built-up areas by 18% from 1991 to 2017. Other classes such as shrubs increased due to decrease in dense vegetation. This study confirms the use of Remote Sensing as a valuable tool for detecting change in land cover and determining the impact of anthropogenic activities in the Weija Catchment. Keywords : Land Cover, GIS, Remote Sensing, Weija Catchment, Anthropogenic Activities
{"title":"Mapping the Effects of Anthropogenic Activities in the Catchment of Weija Reservoir using Remote Sensing Techniques","authors":"N. Tagoe, S. Mantey","doi":"10.4314/GM.V17I2.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/GM.V17I2.2","url":null,"abstract":"Man has contributed to land cover alteration since time-immemorial through clearing of land for residential, agriculture, recreational and industrial purposes. The emergence of adapting wild plants and animals for human use as well as industrialisation have also contributed to the alteration of land cover. Over the years, anthropogenic activities have had great impact on the Weija catchment. This study seeks to map the catchment and determine the impact of anthropogenic activities using Remote Sensing techniques. Observations and measurements were made on the field as well as classification of land cover using Landsat images of years 1991, 2003 and 2017. Results showed an increase in built-up areas by 18% from 1991 to 2017. Other classes such as shrubs increased due to decrease in dense vegetation. This study confirms the use of Remote Sensing as a valuable tool for detecting change in land cover and determining the impact of anthropogenic activities in the Weija Catchment. Keywords : Land Cover, GIS, Remote Sensing, Weija Catchment, Anthropogenic Activities","PeriodicalId":12530,"journal":{"name":"Ghana Mining Journal","volume":"36 1","pages":"6-11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74401264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AbstractThe Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASSM) industry is of great importance to the Ghanaian economy. It provides employment for the teeming youth directly and indirectly and produces gold for the local goldsmiths, among other benefits. Concomitant to their operations, ASSM causes significant environmental pollution with chemicals, predominantly mercury. Mercury is used by small scale miners in the processing of ore mined because it is relatively easy to use and readily available. The laws regulating small scale gold mining in Ghana do not forbid the use of mercury even though there is a loud outcry against the use of mercury in small scale gold mining. The operations have resulted in the discharge of mercury into the environment indiscriminately. No attempt is made by the miners to recover lost mercury hence all of it is lost to the environment. This paper presents the findings of a study that investigated the trajectory of the mercury lost into the environment. The results showed that 2 g of mercury was lost to the environment for every gram of gold recovered through ASSM; 39% of it was lost to the atmosphere due to roasting of the amalgam whilst the remaining 61% was lost into water and spillage onto the ground. Keywords: Mercury, Atmosphere, Pollution, Environment, Socio-economic
{"title":"The Trajectory of Lost Mercury in Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Extraction in Ghana","authors":"S. Al-Hassan, L. Yaganuma, B. Odoi","doi":"10.4314/GM.V19I2.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/GM.V19I2.5","url":null,"abstract":"AbstractThe Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASSM) industry is of great importance to the Ghanaian economy. It provides employment for the teeming youth directly and indirectly and produces gold for the local goldsmiths, among other benefits. Concomitant to their operations, ASSM causes significant environmental pollution with chemicals, predominantly mercury. Mercury is used by small scale miners in the processing of ore mined because it is relatively easy to use and readily available. The laws regulating small scale gold mining in Ghana do not forbid the use of mercury even though there is a loud outcry against the use of mercury in small scale gold mining. The operations have resulted in the discharge of mercury into the environment indiscriminately. No attempt is made by the miners to recover lost mercury hence all of it is lost to the environment. This paper presents the findings of a study that investigated the trajectory of the mercury lost into the environment. The results showed that 2 g of mercury was lost to the environment for every gram of gold recovered through ASSM; 39% of it was lost to the atmosphere due to roasting of the amalgam whilst the remaining 61% was lost into water and spillage onto the ground. Keywords: Mercury, Atmosphere, Pollution, Environment, Socio-economic","PeriodicalId":12530,"journal":{"name":"Ghana Mining Journal","volume":"34 2 1","pages":"35-40"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78072911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AbstractPerfecting land title refers to the process of securing tenure on land. It refers to the assurance that the land one holds for an agreed period of time and purpose is certain. It requires a level of legitimacy. It is on record that agriculture, forestry and mining sectors constitute about 70% of Ghana’s gross domestic product. However, the lack of several large-scale plantations in Ghana can be partly attributed to the land tenure system. Land rights in rural communities are not secured in that the lands are not themselves well defined and rights are not documented. The study used modern survey methods to clearly map out farms in a systematic manner for farmers under a cooperative for rubber plantation development. The rights of tenant farmers and landholders are clearly and legally documented and registered into the formal land administration system. The spatial and attribute data are incorporated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) that serves as tool for data management on the farmers. The pilot study was successful in improving not only tenure security and data access, but also access to funding by participating farmers. Keywords: Land Tenure Security, Registration, Spatial Data, Attribute Data
{"title":"Perfecting Rural Land Title for Wealth Creation and Sustainable Development","authors":"D. Asenso-Gyambibi, M. Affam, E. Y. Amoafo","doi":"10.4314/GM.V19I2.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/GM.V19I2.2","url":null,"abstract":"AbstractPerfecting land title refers to the process of securing tenure on land. It refers to the assurance that the land one holds for an agreed period of time and purpose is certain. It requires a level of legitimacy. It is on record that agriculture, forestry and mining sectors constitute about 70% of Ghana’s gross domestic product. However, the lack of several large-scale plantations in Ghana can be partly attributed to the land tenure system. Land rights in rural communities are not secured in that the lands are not themselves well defined and rights are not documented. The study used modern survey methods to clearly map out farms in a systematic manner for farmers under a cooperative for rubber plantation development. The rights of tenant farmers and landholders are clearly and legally documented and registered into the formal land administration system. The spatial and attribute data are incorporated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) that serves as tool for data management on the farmers. The pilot study was successful in improving not only tenure security and data access, but also access to funding by participating farmers. Keywords: Land Tenure Security, Registration, Spatial Data, Attribute Data","PeriodicalId":12530,"journal":{"name":"Ghana Mining Journal","volume":"79 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91202298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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