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All Journal SUSTINERE: Journal of Environment and Sustainability
Bernard N. Baatuuwie
Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Chemical Engineering, Chemistry & Bioengineering Earth & Planetary Sciences Energy Environmental Science

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Assessing the influence of laterite soil mining on land use and land cover change in sub-Saharan Africa:  The case of northern Ghana Eleanor A. Dunee; Laura Atuah; Bernard N. Baatuuwie; Irene Idun
Sustinere: Journal of Environment and Sustainability Vol. 10 No. 1 (2026): in press
Publisher : Center for Science and Technology, Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Mas Said Surakarta

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.22515/kq7drr59

Abstract

Laterite soil is essential in the construction industry, especially in road and building construction. The practice of abandoning borrow pits after mining laterite soil in the Northern Region of Ghana has resulted in land degradation, as well as loss of vegetative cover and biodiversity. This study assessed the land cover (LC) changes in Northern Ghana from 2002 to 2022 to highlight how laterite soil mining has altered the Guinea Savannah Landscape. Landsat images for three selected years (2002, 2012, and 2022) were analysed using SEPAL, ArcGIS, and QGIS. The images were classified into eight LC classes: woodland, shrub/grassland, cropland, bare land, built-up, laterite (gravel) pit, floodplain, and water bodies. It was found that borrow pits increased by 16.61 km2 over the two decades. Croplands and Shrub/grasslands were identified as the most affected classes, with direct LC losses of 11.38 km2 and 7.16 km2, respectively. Additional indirect losses were attributed to agricultural expansion due to the reduction in cropland areas. It is concluded that laterite soil mining, driven by urbanisation, has a dire impact on vegetation cover and local livelihoods due to unsustainable mining practices. It is recommended that development control managers utilise the findings of this study to devise strategies for managing laterite soil mining and promoting sustainable mining practices to meet the targets of SGD 15.
Co-Authors Eleanor A. Dunee Irene Idun Laura Atuah