@phdthesis{Nsiah2019, author = {Nsiah, Paul Kofi}, title = {The potentials of biological geotextiles in erosion control and of substrate amendment on vegetation establishment during gold-mine reclamation in Ghana}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus4-49670}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Designing and implementing comprehensive reclamation programme during mine operations can minimize environmental damage and decrease potential legal liability. Although Regulation (23) of the Ghana Environmental Assessment Regulation (1999) requires mine proponents to have plans for reclamation, it has been revealed most degraded mine-sites have not been reclaimed. Even in cases where some mining companies made reclamation attempts, such efforts could not produce any favourable outcome due to the failure in adopting such best reclamation management practices as slope stabilization and substrate amendment to promote vegetation establishment. Subsequently, this study was undertaken to (a) investigate the role of biological geotextiles in erosion control and (b) examine effects of organic amendments with stockpiled subsoil on tree growth and on ground vegetation cover. A waste-rock dump was graded to 33\% slope and covered with a 70 cm layer of subsoil at the Amoma Pit of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited Ahafo-South project. To achieve the first objective, two kinds of biological geotextiles; Elephant-grass mat and "York" mat, were used with bare ground as control, in a randomized block design with two replications each. Mat performance against erosion was expressed as a percentage from the total sediment yield. Results showed both the Elephant-grass mat and the York mat significantly (p < 0.05) reduced soil loss by 56.6\% and 97.3\%, respectively, compared to the control. The mats acted as cover and protected the graded mine-slope against erosion and allowed vegetation to establish and grow through them. Two experimental plots (24 × 15 m) were established on a different portion of the waste-rock dump for the second objective. The treatments, manure (23 t ha-1) and control (no manure), were applied, followed by seeding of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and planting of potted-seedlings of five forest-tree species. The Laser-point-quadrat method was used to estimate ground vegetation cover, whereas erosion was visually observed. Diameter and height data of the planted trees were collected. The results indicated the manure had significant positive influence on tree growth and on ground vegetation cover which facilitated superior soil stabilization, compared to the control. Manure supplied sufficient N to overcome N deficiency of the subsoil and additionally increased soil organic matter that boosted microbial activity and mineralization. The findings of the study highlight the urgent need of implementing best reclamation management practices in protecting the environment and securing successful reclamation during mine operations in Ghana. The achievement of this will promote responsible mining and further contribute to Ghanaians' acceptability of mining as a sustainable developmental land use activity, rather than as a curse.}, subject = {Best reclamation management; Composted sewage sludge; Ecosystem restoration; Land reclamation; Mining operation; Bergbau; Bew{\"a}hrte Methoden f{\"u}r das Management der R{\"u}ckgewinnung; Kompostierter Kl{\"a}rschlamm; Wiederherstellung von {\"O}kosystemen; Landr{\"u}ckgewinnung; Ghana; Tagebau; Rekultivierung; Geotextilien}, language = {en} }