Characterizing the relationship between land use land cover change and mining, and its impact on crop yield: A case study in the central region of Ghana

Land use land cover changes (LULCC) caused by mining-related activities have profound impacts on agricultural production, particularly in areas of rich mineral resources in Ghana. The three districts of study are undergoing significant land transformation due to major mining-related activities. In recent times, mining has destroyed much of the arable land as farmers rent their farmland for mining activities, resulting in the destruction of farmland and a decline in crop production. This research assessed the relationship between LULCC and mining and its ensuing effect on crop yield in Central Region of Ghana, of Ghana. Remote sensing data and ground truth data were used to determine the land use changes and the patterns of agricultural land loss resulting from both legal and illegal mining, random forest algorithm in Google Earth Engine (GEE) was used for the classification. Questionnaires, focus group discussions and crop yield data were analysed together with the classified maps to assess the extent mining activities have affected agricultural output. The results showed massive land use change from one class to another. From 2016 to 2022, mining and built-up increased by 61.9% and 22.0% per year, respectively, while Dense Forests, agricultural lands, and water bodies decreased by 5.1%, 5.7% and 4.2% per year, respectively. Thus, crop loss was significant in mining areas (i.e. 35%) when compared to dominant agricultural areas (i.e. 18%). The findings of this study offer valuable insights to assist planners and decision-makers in formulating strategies to preserve green belts in the region.