Quantifying Potential displacements and Land-use Conflicts in Mining Regions

摘要

Quantifying and assessing the spatial interactions between prospective mining and existing local communities' land use interests can identify and mitigate potential displacements and conflicts between the mining industry and local communities in developing countries. A case study has been conducted at the emerging Ghana's North-west gold province. Geographic Information Science (GIS), techniques from regional science, and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools have been integrated and used to analyse land cover data and socioeconomic activities across 55 villages. The study finds a minimum of 90 and a maximum of 4576 hectares of cultivable lands potentially displaced in the study villages. This has a cumulative effect on manufacturing, wholesale and retailing industries that form the diversity of enduring local economies. The findings of this study will enhance local communities' empowerment, and benchmark indicators for removing uncertainties and land use conflicts.