Annex C5 – Soil Resources Supplemental Information C5 - 6 following suborders: highly suitable (SI), moderately suitable (S2) marginally suitable (S3), presently not suitable (N1) and permanently not-suitable (N2). The major limitations affecting the assessments were soil depth, contents of gravels and stones, infertility or textural problems (s), soil erosion hazard (e), and wetness and flooding problems (w). Moderately Suitable Series Kokofu and Akroso series – S2e These series have good physical conditions for root development and hold, are easy to till, and are generally free of coarse fragments. They have rapid external drainage, good internal drainage, and the water holding capacity is high to medium. The main limitations are the low nutrient availability and high erosion hazard. In the Proposed <strong>Mining</strong> Area, these series were found to support plantation crops of cocoa, oil palm, citrus and wide range of food, horticultural, vegetable and legume crops. Adequate organic and inorganic fertilization is necessary for constant high crop yields. Anti-erosion practices may be required to conserve the soil resource. Bekwai, Nzima, Swedru and Nsaba series – S2se These series also have good physical conditions for root development and hold, but their subsoils often have common coarse fragments including quartz gravels. They have very rapid external drainage, very good internal drainage, and the water holding capacity is low to medium. Their limitations for crop production are their susceptibility to soil erosion (which is exacerbated due to their landscape position), rapidly declining soil fertility following cultivation, occasionally high coarse fragment content. In the Proposed <strong>Mining</strong> Area, these soils have been intensively and extensively used for cultivation resulting in depletion of nutrients and erosion of the topsoil. Together they form the most extensive soils being used in the production of plantation and arable crops, including cocoa, citrus, oil palm, maize, plantain, cassava, yams, cocoyam, vegetables and legumes. Soil and water conservation measures, as well as effective fertilization with both organic and inorganic fertilizers are necessary to increase or sustain agricultural production. Marginally Suitable Soil Oda, Temang, Nta, and Ofin series – S3sw These series are subjected to flooding and waterlogging during the rainy seasons. The textures are commonly very fine (clay) or coarse (sand), which are preferred for cultivation less than loamy materials. The main limitations for their use are unfavourable moisture conditions and textural limitations. In the Proposed <strong>Mining</strong> Area, these soils are extensively used for oil palm cultivation and are less suitable for most other crops. Drainage management, fertilization, and water logging controls may be required to sustain production or increase suitability for a wider variety of crops. Akyem Gold <strong>Mining</strong> Project November 2008 FINAL EIS
Annex C5 – Soil Resources Supplemental Information C5 - 7 Permanently Non-Suitable Soil Kobeda Series – N2 This series is poorly developed, moderately deep, excessively drained and has high coarse fragment content. While this series is suitable for forestry, its most common use, these properties make it generally unsuitable for agricultural production. Akyem Gold <strong>Mining</strong> Project November 2008 FINAL EIS
Change language