Ghana Mining Journal

ASSESSING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAND USE PATTERNS AND TRAFFIC CONGESTION: AN APPROACH USING GEOSPATIAL AND STATISTICAL TECHNIQUES IN THE GREATER SEKONDI-TAKORADI AREA, GHANA

Joel Kwabena Lawerteh — 2025-10-15

Traffic congestion has become a persistent problem in the Greater Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis in the Western Region of Ghana. To analyse the traffic congestion and related issues in the metropolis, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Earth Observation technology was used to assess the relationship between land use patterns and traffic congestion. Land use data, including residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use classes, were obtained and processed to create detailed land use maps. Traffic congestion data, such as traffic flow, speed, and volume, were observed on three different roads and analysed. The results showed that peak hour periods vary on different roads. Kwesimintim to Agyip experienced its peak between 8am-9am, Effiakuma to Tanokrom between 6am-7am, and Market Circle to Agyib between 7am-8am and their respective Peak Hour Factor (PHF) values 0.92, 0.95 and 0.83. Commercial land use contributed the most to traffic congestion in the metropolis, with a coefficient of 0.866 while residential land use had the lowest congestion level, with coefficient of -0.159. The results of this study can inform policymakers, urban planners and transportation engineers in making informed decisions for effective traffic managment, which could impact positively on sustainable urban development in the Greater Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.

MAPPING THE INTERACTION BETWEEN URBAN LAND USE AND TRAFFIC CONGESTION USING HETEROGENEITY INDEX

Joel Kwabena Lawerteh — 2025-10-15

The interactions between urban landuse and traffic congestion has been well established by many reserachers over the years. However, assessing the impact of this interactions and its associated effect on sustainable mobility has been a challenge especially in developing countries like Ghana. Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis in Ghana has witness an increase in urbanization characterized by severe traffic congestions in recent years. The objective of this study is to develop and apply a heterogeneity index to determine the effect of hetrogeniety in land use distribution pattern on traffic congestions along six major roads in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. Vehicular traffic count survey was conducted on the selected study roads and the intensity of traffic congestion on each road was computed using Volume Capacity ratio (C/V). Six heterogeneity indices were established based on the fundamental land use categories in the research area. Analytical Hierarchical Processing (AHP) and knowledge-based weighting were utilized to prioritize the significance of various heterogeneity indices, while correlation coefficient was employed to access the relationship. Commercial land use had the most influence to traffic congestion as compared to the others with correlation coefficients of 0.512 while Industrial land uses had the least influence to traffic congestion with correlation coefficients of 0.157 on all 6 roads.The findings of this study indicates that the heterogeneity index, which measures the different land uses, has a substantial potential as an indicator of traffic congestion for a given location which could aid in traffic management and effective town planning.

Whole-body Vibration in the Ghanaian Mining Industry: Assessment of Exposure Values

Florence Ntsiful — 2025-10-15

Although whole-body vibration (WBV) exposures have been recognised as a major occupational hazard in the mining industry, empirical studies in Ghana remain narrow, unlike other developed mining countries, where WBV exposures have been extensively studied. Studies like this remain relevant in the Ghanaian mining industry, considering reports of using obsolete equipment regarded as having high WBV exposure values. Thus, the study is justified and sought to assess WBV exposures in the Ghanaian mining industry to determine if they are comparable to those reported in the literature. Data was collected across three large-scale mines, two of them entirely surface mines and the other having both surface and underground operations using an iOS application installed on multiple 5th-generation iPod Touch devices. Overall, 169 exposure values were recorded across five surface and underground mine equipment and assessed according to ISO 2631-1. A comparison of the root mean square (rms) and vibration dose value (VDV(8)) with those reported in the literature revealed that WBV exposures in the Ghanaian mining industry are relatively higher. This suggests that WBV exposures are significant in Ghanaian mines and deserve greater focus. One-way ANOVA showed that the exposure value of the five equipment differs significantly, and post hoc tests revealed where statistically significant differences existed. Specifically, LHD vehicles consistently had the highest vibration levels, followed by haul trucks and excavators. The study presents some basis for a more targeted focus on WBV management, and this has been discussed throughout the paper

Ecotoxicological Status and Health Risks Implication of Heavy Metals Contamination in Urban Soils of A’koon and Brahabobom Communities, Tarkwa – Ghana

Shadrack Fosu — 2025-10-15

The ecotoxicological status and health implications of heavy metal pollution of soils in Ghana remain vague due to limited data. Herein, flame atomic adsorption spectroscopy (FAAS), multivariate statistical analysis and ecotoxicological indices were employed to determine the concentrations, pollution sources, as well as possible ecotoxicological effects of nine heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Zn) in soils of artisanal mining communities (A’koon and Brahabobom) in Tarkwa. In addition, the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for residents’ exposure through oral, dermal, and inhalation were estimated. Mean concentrations of the metals were in the order Fe > Mn > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Co > Ni > Cd. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) results concomitantly showed that Pb and Cd inputs may be due to anthropogenic influences. At the same time, Cr, Fe, and Co in the soil could be attributed to similar geochemical processes. Noteworthily, 45% of soil samples from the study sites had a total toxic unit (TTU) greater than 4, indicating that the heavy metals may pose harmful effects on soil-dwelling organisms. For all exposure routes, the estimated hazard quotients (HQs) for children, youth, and adult populations were < 1 for all metals. However, hazard index (HI) estimations showed a considerable non-cancer risk to dermally exposed children (HI = 1.5) residing in A’koon. The potential cancer risks associated with daily exposures showed that children in Brahabobom (5.7 × 10^-4) and A’koon (4.13 × 10^-4) might be susceptible to Cr via inhalation (> 1 × 10^-4).

Impact of mining-FDI on Extractive Sector Growth and its Spillover Effect on Non-Extractive Sector Growth: The Case of Ghana

Kofi Kamasa — 2025-10-15

This paper assesses the impact of mining-FDI on extractive sector growth and its spillover effect on non-extractive sector growth in Ghana. Extractive sector output growth is modelled as a function of mining-FDI and vector of theorized correlates of extractive sector growth. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) estimation technique was employed on a time-series data over two periods, 2000–2021 and 1990—2021 based on data availability on the different variables of interest. The findings reveal that mining-FDI significantly promotes both extractive sector output growth and overall economic growth in the long run. Additionally, extractive sector resource rent has a positive and significant spillover effect on the non-extractive sectors, with agriculture being the largest recipient, followed by the manufacturing and service sectors. Finally, control of corruption is instrumental in translating the revenues generated from investments in the extractive sector into growth in non-extractive sectors. On the policy front, the paper emphasizes that policies that channel extractive sector FDI into processing the natural resources before exports will ensure that more of the wealth generated from the extractive sector are retained within the country to promote employment, industrial expansion and economic diversification

Review: Evaluation of the Mode of Mechanism of Phytoremediation Plants on Trace Heavy Metal Pollutants in Auto-Mechanic Workshops Ghana.

Johannes Ami — 2025-10-15

Environmental Pollution from anthropogenic activities has contributed greatly towards the loss of biodiversity. As a result, some organisms are at the verge of extinction and total extermination. Used oil from automobile engines have contribute immensely towards the degradation of the environment. This problem has been traced to the poor handling of used oil and ignorance of major disposers. There has been a challenge to mitigate or possibly eliminate the adverse effects of these contaminants using more ecofriendly and cost-effective means. Researchers have over the years leaned toward phytoremediation which is a sustainable and more environmentally friendly approach and holds prospects for remediating oil-contaminated and heavy metal-contaminated soils in Ghana. This review examines the current state in Ghana regarding phytoremediation, focusing on indigenous plant species' potential to rehabilitate contaminated soils. Key approaches are discussed, highlighting how plants facilitate the remediation process. Additionally, this review examines challenges, opportunities, and future directions for phytoremediation in Ghana.