Mining, agricultural space and land use conflicts: The role of local government

Abstract

Particularly in rural areas, where agriculture is a predominant livelihood activity and land use planning is either non-existent or poorly understood, local governments are unable to generate information for policy decisions in the mining sector. This makes local governments planning ineffective at addressing mining and agriculture land use displacement issues. This study quantifies the potential displacement of the agriculture industry activities by the activities of the mining industry on rural space. It also discusses the role of local governments planning and management strategies for mining related land use conflicts in rural areas. For this purpose, a case study has been conducted in the emerging Ghana's north-west gold province. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools, the economic base model, and geospatial tools have been integrated and used in GIS. The study finds that agricultural production in the districts just suffices local demand and insufficient for export. Apart from the potential displacement of cultivable lands and pastures by exploration and mining activities, the evidence also suggests a potential displacement of crop farmers and livestock in affected communities. In the wake of mining and exploration activities, district assemblies are expected to extend their coordinating role between economic diversification, food security and land use conflicts. The study's findings will enhance benchmark indicators for removing tensions and risk uncertainties associated with mining and exploration activities in the districts.