annexc - Newmont Mining Corporation
annexc - Newmont Mining Corporation
annexc - Newmont Mining Corporation
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Annex C5 – Soil Resources Supplemental Information C5 - 5<br />
Elemental Concentrations<br />
Samples analyzed for elemental concentrations were collected from 78 sites representing 10<br />
different series. These sample sites included the 16 typical series profiles, 25 sites with<br />
evidence of anthropogenic influences and 32 sites located on a grid within the mineralized<br />
zone. The purpose of soil elemental analyses was to assess whether prior contamination<br />
has occurred and whether concentrations are naturally elevated.<br />
Notable differences between the soil elemental concentrations of typical profile sites, areas<br />
of anthropogenic influence, and the mineralized zone were not found. Comparison of soil<br />
elemental concentrations to concentrations observed elsewhere in Ghana and worldwide<br />
suggests that the concentrations observed are within the natural range for soils. It is<br />
unlikely that human health risks associated with the concentrations of the investigated<br />
elements exist in the Proposed <strong>Mining</strong> Area.<br />
SOIL CLASSIFICATION<br />
Representative soil profiles were classified according to the World Reference Base for soil<br />
resources (WRB) system (FAO 1976). The primary Ghanaian series encountered during the<br />
survey and their classifications are provided in Table C5-2. These classifications reflect the<br />
most appropriate classification for the dominant phases of the soil series observed.<br />
However, these classifications may not be appropriate for each pedon observed.<br />
TABLE C5-2<br />
Taxonomic Classification of Soil Series<br />
Series Clasification<br />
Akroso Plinthic Acrisol<br />
Bekwai Ferric Acrisol<br />
Kobeda Endoleptic Acrisol to Lithic Leptosol<br />
Kokofu Plinthic Acrisol<br />
Nsaba Plinthic Acrisol<br />
Nta Gleyic Arenosol<br />
Nzima Ferric Acrisol<br />
Oda Eutric Gleysol<br />
Ofin Gleyic Fluvisol<br />
Swedru Plinthic Acrisol<br />
Temang Gleyic Fluvisol<br />
AGRICULTURAL SUITABILITY<br />
The 2008 soil survey (Geomatrix and SRI 2008) assessed suitability of the soil for rain-fed<br />
agricultural uses according to FAO (1976) methods, which are based primarily on the<br />
morphological properties of the soils and landscape characteristics. The series were rated<br />
according to the orders of suitable (S), non-suitable (N) and further separated into the<br />
Akyem Gold <strong>Mining</strong> Project November 2008 FINAL EIS
Change language