Application of rock mass classification methods for slope stability design in open pit of Otso Gold Oy (Laivan Kaivos)

Abstract. Rock Mass Classification systems are used in the mining industry to classify rock types based on their physical and mechanical properties. It is one of the basic requirements on which the development of the mine will be based. Previous geotechnical studies at the Otso Gold Laivan Mine employed the Rock Mass Quality Index (Q-system), Goelogical Strength Index (GSI), Mining Rock Mass Rating (M-RMR) and later Rock Quality Designation Index (RQD) to determine the quality of rocks at the mine for mine planning, designs, and development, including slope stability analysis and design. However, these were done at a time there was less or no pit development. This study aims to classify unexposed sections of the mine Rock Mass Rating (RMR) and perform a Slope Mass Ratings for the stability of rock slopes in the south pit of the mine. RMR results will be used to compare with previously used classification systems. Three slopes are selected for stability analysis. Field measurements and observations were conducted to obtain data for rock classification and kinematic analysis. Kinematic analysis with the information on rock quality and stability of slopes from calculated RMR and SMR, will be used to perform a slope stability analysis on the present slopes and for consideration in future development of the pit. This study will also suggest slope specifications for further development based on present performances of the slopes

Assessment of the suitability of different cassava varieties for gari and fufu flour production in Liberia

Open Access Article; Published online: 15 Feb 2020Different cassava varieties are available in Liberia, but there is little knowledge of their product suitability. Hence, the need to assess the potentials of these varieties to produce gari and fufu flour. The two products from ten improved and two local cassava varieties were characterized based on their yield and chemical, pasting and functional properties using standard methods. The results showed that TMS 96/0097 (gari 27.54%) and Butter cassava (fufu flour 27.35%) have the highest percentage yields. The starch content was higher in gari produced from TMS98/0505 (92.00%) and lower from TMS95/0289 (82.62%); the fufu flour starch content was higher in TMS98/0505 (90.59%) and lower in Bassa girl (84.75%). Gari and fufu flour produced from TMS96/0097 (507.38 RUV) and TMS00/0357 (506.04 RVU) had the highest final viscosity, and the products from TMS95/0289 (338.46 RVU and 336.80 RVU) had the least. The highest swelling power was found in gari (12.74%) and fufu flour (13.55%) produced from TMS92/0057 and the lowest in TMS91/0416 gari (8.23%) and TMS01/1235 fufu flour (8.31%). All the samples may form a paste below the boiling point of water (100°C) at < 7 min. However, cassava varieties and the interactions between varieties and locations had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on the properties of the products: Chemical (except ash content), pasting (except pasting temperature) and functional. Therefore, all the varieties may be suitable for gari and fufu flour production based on the quality preferred by the consumers

Effects of moisture stress on germination and protein synthesis in root tips of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Unpigmented cowpea seeds, TVX 3236 (cream and brown) and IT81S-818 (white), were subjected to more stressful constant moisture conditions (-0.1 and -0.15 MPa) for 10 days. Germination was reduced from 90 to 43 and 60 per cent, respectively, compared to 90 per cent in those subjected to readily water availability (-0.0015 Mpa). These seeds germinated at -0.0015 MPa for shorter periods of 12 and 24 h compared to 48 h before imposition of stress (-0.15 MPa) for 7 days and showed more reduced final germination, after they had been returned to readily water availability for a further 7 days. However, pigmented seeds, TVX 2724-01F (brown) and IT82D-32 (dark-brown), showed very high germination between 90 and 100 per cent even under stress. The difference between these two groups of seeds, therefore, lies in their abilities to withstand water stress which was related to the differences in damage caused to their embryonic cells as shown by the extent of staining with 2, 3, 5 triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC), and their abilities to synthesize protein after stress by incorporating L-&#61531;4,5-3H&#61533; leucine into their root tips.Les graines de dolique non pigmentées, TVX 3236 (crème et brune) et IT81S-818 (blanche), étaient exposées aux conditions d'humidité constantes plus stressantes (-0.1 et -0.15 MPa) pour 10 jours; Ces graines ont subi de germination réduite respectivement de 90 à 43 et 60% comparé à 90% en celles qui étaient exposées à l'eau facilement disponible (-0.0015 Mpa). Ces graines germinaient à -0.0015 MPa pour des périodes plus courtes de 12 et 24 h comparées à 48 h avant l'imposition de pression (-0.15 MPa) pour 7 jours et montraient de germination final plus réduite après avoir été remises à l'eau facilement disponible pour 7 jours. Les graines pigmentées TVX 2724-01F (brune) et IT82D-32 (brune-foncée), montraient cependant de germination très élevée entre 90 et 100% même sous les conditions de pression. La différence entre ces deux groupes de graines réside donc dans leurs capacités de résister à la pression d'eau qui était liée aux différences en dégats causés aux cellules embryonnaires comme révélé par l'ampleur de tacher avec 2, 3, 5 chlorure de triphényl tétrazolium (CTT), et leurs capacités de produire synthétiquement la protéiene après la pression par l'incorporation de L-[4, 5-3 H] leucine dans les bouts de racine. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 39 (2) 2006: pp. 165-17

Incidence and diversity of mixed viruses lower in yam tubers and tuber sprouts compared with field leaf samples: Implications for virusfree planting material control strategy

Millions of people around the world, particularly in West Africa, depend on yam for food and income, however global yam production has been fluctuating since 2007. Virus infections contribute to yam yield losses and the occurrence of mixed virus infections is potentially catastrophic. Planting of certified virus-free/resistant tubers is advocated therefore knowledge of the role of yam planting material in the virus dynamics in yam fields is crucial for effective yam virus control. In this study, yam tubers bought from markets in six West African countries were planted in an insect proof screen-house. Leaf samples from the tuber sprouts were tested by ELISA and/or IC-PCR/IC-RT-PCR to determine the incidence of Yam mosaic virus, Yam mild mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, and Dioscorea Bacilliform viruses. Yam tubers from Nigeria and Ghana, as well as yam leaves collected from yam fields in Nigeria were also tested. All the viruses assayed for were detected. Most of the virus infections detected in the tuber (83%) and tuber sprouts (95%) were single infections of either Dioscorea bacilliform viruses (DBV) or Yam mosaic virus (YMV). The incidence of mixed infection in the field samples (49.3%) was about 3 times and 10 times more than those detected in the tubers (17%) and the tuber sprouts (5%). These results suggest that other factors other than the tubers used as planting materials contribute to the vast incidence of mixed virus infections in yam fields. These factors must be properly appraised and be factored into any yam virus control strategy equation in order to achieve a sustainable yam production in West Africa in particular and the world in general

Anaemia, vitamin-A deficiency, anthropometric nutritional status and associated factors among young school children in Kodzobi, Ghana, a peri-urban community

Anaemia, vitamin-A deficiency and under nutrition are prevalent among children at levels of public health significance in developing countries of which Ghana is no exception. The objective of this study was to assess the anaemia, low vitamin-A level and anthropometric nutritional status of 162 randomly selected young Ghanaian school children 4 – 8 years in Kodzobi, a peri-urban community and establish associated factors. Questionnaires were used to collect background data from parents of study participants. Vitamin-A and haemoglobin concentrations were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Haemocue hemoglobinometer, respectively. Malaria parasitaemia was examined by the Giemsa staining technique. Weight and height measurements were taken according to WHO’s standard procedures to assess participants’ nutritional status. The mean haemoglobin and serum retinol concentrations were 11.6 ± 1.1 g/dl and 22.8 ± 6.5 μg/dl, respectively. Prevalence of anaemia and vitamin-A deficiency among study participants were 38.3 % and 24.0 %, respectively. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, thinness and overweight were 9.3 %, 9.9 %, 4.3 % and 3.7 %, respectively. Haemoglobin correlated positively and significantly with weight, weight-for-age and body mass index-for-age z scores. Child’s sex, vitamin-A status and parental monthly income associated with anaemia status. Females had a higher risk of being anaemic compared to males (OR = 2.519; 95 % CI: 0.965 - 6.580; p = 0.049). Participants with normal vitamin-A concentration were at lower risk of being anaemic (OR = 0.302; 95 % CI: 0.109 - 0.840; p = 0.022) than those with low vitamin-A concentration. Anaemia and young child age negatively associated with vitamin-A status, at p = 0.039 and p = 0.037, respectively. Anaemia and vitamin-A deficiency are issues of public health importance among school-aged children in Ghana. There is, therefore, the need to invest in actions that prevent their occurrence and management especially among children of school going age.Keywords: Anaemia, vitamin-A deficiency, nutritional status, retinol, haemoglobin, school children, peri-urba

Search for Scutellonema bradys resistance in yams (Dioscorea spp.)

A study to examine variability in susceptibility of yams to Scutellonema bradys and to identify possible sources of resistance in Ghanaian yam germplasm (Dioscorea spp.) for use in yam improvement programmes, particularly, in West Africa was undertaken. Pot and field screening methodologies were used. In general, S. bradys and dry rot of tuber symptoms as well as tuber cracking increased during the storage period. The study showed a positive correlation between visual nematode damage and population densities in yam tubers. There was also a linear relationship between dry rot disease and tuber cracking at harvest and during storage. This confirms that S. bradys causes dry rot of tubers resulting in external cracking of yam tubers. Positive linear relationship was also observed between yam tuber weight loss and dry rot disease indicating that dry rot disease may have contributed to the tuber weight loss. Therefore, tuber dry rot symptoms caused by S. bradys of yams could be used to discard susceptible yams at harvest and after a period of storage. However, there was no linear relationship between nematode population densities in yam tubers and roots, therefore, a root protocol cannot be used for assessing resistance in yams as it could lead to misclassification. The yam germplasm screened, reaffirmed resistance to S. bradys in Dioscorea dumetorum var. Nkanfo and D. cayenensis var. Afun

Food and nutrition security situation in Ghana: Nutrition implications for national development

Achieving food and nutrition security is fundamental to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to its strong interdependence with economic growth and development. Eradicating hunger and all forms of malnutrition (SDG 2) remain high on the global agenda and is at the forefront of high panel deliberations because poor dietary intake has long term negative consequences on individuals and economic advancement. The goal to end hunger and malnutrition can be achieved when food and nutrition insecurity is properly tackled through investment in agriculture parallel to economic and social protection programmes. In Ghana, about 1.5 million of the population are estimated to be food insecure while undernutrition, overnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies persist across the life stages. Challenges to food and nutrition security in Ghana have been identified as: poverty, climate change, rapid urbanization and population growth, gender inequalities and poor infrastructure. Poor economic growth, health, education, hygiene and environmental&nbsp; exploitation are implications of these challenges. Addressing these implications sets long-term foundation for the development of the nation by prioritising policies that are nutrition sensitive which directly address the complexity of malnutrition. The level of food and nutrition insecurity in Ghana can be reduced through a national commitment towards addressing the four pillars of food security coupled with programmes that bring about resilience through sustainable systems. To this end, intervention programmes have been introduced by government to reduce the poverty burden on households. These programmes are in the form of social interventions, governmental flagship projects, and research-driven agricultural interventions to improve yield that withstand the effect of climate change. This review is aimed to present the food and nutrition security situation in Ghana and emphasise the challenges that exacerbate the problem while bringing to light the nutritional implications to national development. It is hoped that the recommendations from this review will help the government in achieving food and nutrition security in Ghana

The Impact of Irrigation on the Nutritional Status of Children in the Sissala West District of Ghana

Abstract: According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2006) the most sustainable way to reduce hunger effectively is to improve agriculture and rural development simultaneously. The study investigated the impact of irrigation dam projects on child nutritional status. A total of 397 mother-child pair from three communities (control, 1 year and 2 year intervention with introduction of irrigation dam) with and without irrigation dams participated in the study. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric indicators (height/length, weight and MUAC) and haemoglobin levels. For haemoglobin assessment a sub-sample of 200 children was used. Twenty-four h dietary recall was used to assess dietary intake. The results showed significant differences (p&lt;0.001) in wasting rates of 11.0, 21.2 and 12.3%, respectively, among children in the control, 1 year intervention and 2-year intervention communities, respectively. Haemoglobin assessment revealed that a greater proportion of children (70.1%) were anaemic. The 1 year intervention had a significantly higher number of children (p&lt;0.001) who had haemoglobin in the normal range. Most (95.9%) of the children did not meet their energy needs according to their dietary intake records. Child feeding practices continue to be a challenge in these communities. Currently, the impact of the irrigation dam on the livelihoods and nutritional status of the children is not obvious but more time is needed to realize the full potential. Nutrition education should target the incorporation of fish from the dam into young child feeding in these communities