TITLE:
Microclimate Indicators and Air Dust Dynamics around a Tropical Highland Open Pit Mine, Amid Progressive Ecological Rehabilitation
AUTHORS:
Lefranc Busane Basima, Venant Muderhwa Nshombo, Jean-Berckmans Bahananga Muhigwa, Cubaka Kabagale Alfred, Christian Kalikone
KEYWORDS:
Microclimate Change, Mining, Dust
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.13 No.2,
February
27,
2025
ABSTRACT: This paper analyses microclimate parameters viz. rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, heat index, wind speed, wind direction, atmospheric pressure, dew point, air dust and air density around the Twangiza gold mine, Eastern DR Congo. Results show that in previous decades, May did not use to be a dry month as it was an integral part of the shorter rainy season and September has become drier. This depletion of May and September rainfall is a change in the study region. A significant difference was observed between both septennia (2010-2017 and 2018-2024) regarding the second rainy season (B = February-May) only at one of stations. Significant differences occurred between both septennia regarding the dry season (June-August), with more rainfall in the second septennium (2018-2024). This confirms a microclimate change in the study area, even at a range of 3 - 10 km distance, indicating patchy rains. The values of temperature and heat index increased during the second septennium; e.g. 25.3˚C max dry season 2018-2024 vs 23.4˚C dry season 2010-2017; thus differences of 1.9˚C for temperature and 1.5˚C for heat index. This is an indicator of warming in the microclimate along the quindecinnial. The results show that the mine generates seven to ten times more dust when in operations due to moving equipment and other ancillary equipment. The residential and industrial guideline limits did not change even when the mine was operational. This study has the merit of illustrating the accuracy of the best regional climate change prediction models, such as the GIZ long-term forecast for the neighbor country, Burundi, which predicted the increase of rains in the rainy season, the depletion of rains in months leading up to the dry season (August/September), implying the prolongation of the dry season. They also noted a high probability that annual average air temperatures will gradually increase.