Management of sand and stone mining and their environmental impact in Kumasi Metropolis using geographic information system (GIS) technology

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Date
2001-12-12
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Abstract
Sand and stone mining have for long been an important vocation for many of our rural folks and especially for communities that are closer to urban or metropolitan centres. This has been the result of the high demand for shelter, an important component of life for the ever-increasing population. This demand driven vocation has seen very rapid growth in recent times due to increased activities especially in the fields of engineering -- estate development, roads, bridge construction and other infrastructure development. However, the increasing significant negative environmental and socio-economic concerns confronting the country and the communities involved have attracted the sense of urgency of communities, urban councils, district assemblies, the Environmental Protection Agency (E P A), the Minerals Commission and the government to find viable and sustainable solutions to the environmental repercussions. This calls for a data base on the environment vis-à-vis - the socioeconomic issues involved for purposes of planning, analysis, monitoring, evaluation and an overall assessment of policies required to address the issues pertaining to the management of sand and stone mining as well as the crucial consequential environmental degradation. In this project, the Geographic Information System (GIS) technology was utilized in the capture, process, management, query and analysis of data geographically in a bid to solving the problems confronting sand and stone mining industry. The GIS was also used as a monitoring tool in optimizing the operations of miners and to give a better and a scientific way of evaluating revenue that accrues from the exploitation of sand and stone. Nine (9) mining sites were selected in the Kumasi pen-urban area. On all sites, the impact of the mining activities on the land use patterns, the infrastructure such as roads, the income levels of the locals as well as the mode of operations of the mining were examined. One of the main outcomes of the study is the creation of a comprehensive database on the sand and stone mining industry. The study has established an effective procedure for the management of the environmental impact of the operations. Recommendations have been made regarding how a cost effective survey can be carried out for purposes of monitoring and tax assessment. It also recommended strongly the application of GIS in environmental resource management such as sand and stone mining. An alternate source of material to sand was also recommended.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Philosophy degree in Geodetic Engineering, 2001
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