Impact of Gold Mining on Physical Properties of Inceptisols in Muaro Sijunjung, West Sumatra Indonesia

Abstract

Open mining causes some problems to the soil properties both in situ and ex situ or in the environment. A research on the effect of gold mining on physical properties of Inceptisols was conducted in Nagari Muaro, District of Sijunjung West Sumatra Indonesia. The disturbed and undisturbed soil was sampled at the ex gold mining, and at the previous land use, especially rubber plantation and grassland. Parameters analysed were soil texture, bulk density (BD), hydraulic conductivity (HC), soil organic matter (SOM), soil aggregate stability (SAS), and water content. Based on laboratory analyses, it was found that gold mining process changed soil physical properties at the top 0-40 cm soil in Muaro Sijunjung. It decreased SOM content, soil HC, SAS index, TP, and increased soil BD or hardness compared to the previous land use. The soil must be rehabilitated to increase its productivity and to anticipate environmental pollution.