Radiofrequency Baseline Assessment of a Large Mining Concession Enclave and Affected Communities:

Samuel Osei; Abdul-Razak Fuseini; Richard  Dogbey; Emmanuel Quarshie; Collins Kafui Azah; Philip Deatanyah; Christiana Subaar; Frederick Sam; Joseph Kwabena Amoako

Samuel Osei Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4322-8489
Abdul-Razak Fuseini Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission
Richard Dogbey Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7424-7911
Emmanuel Quarshie Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission
Collins Kafui Azah Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1346-3624
Philip Deatanyah Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4670-3329
Christiana Subaar Department of Physics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1158-5780
Frederick Sam Department of Physics, College of Physical Sciences, University of Cape https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6778-1978
Joseph Kwabena Amoako Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0797-0045

Keywords: Electromagnetic Fields, Radiofrequency Radiation, Baseline Assessment, Mining

Abstract

This study evaluated the existing RF levels within a gold mining concession before the planned installation of communication towers for a large-scale mining operation. Recorded power density levels ranged from 5.92 pWm-2 to 1.22 mWm-2, which are lower than those reported in similar studies. The highest total exposure levels were observed at some proposed tower locations, suggesting a potential increase in RF exposure at these sites once the communication towers are installed. This underscores the need for regulatory bodies to consider pre-existing RF exposure levels during the permitting process. Notably, higher power density levels were recorded in nearby towns. The 900 MHz band exhibited the highest power density, contributing 50% of the total exposure, indicating a prevalent use of 2G GSM900 mobile technology in the study area. Conversely, the mine’s designated communication frequency band recorded the lowest power density levels across all locations.

Author Biographies

Samuel Osei, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission

Research Scientist, Health Physics Centre

Abdul-Razak Fuseini, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission

Dr. Abdul-Razak Fuseini is a Research Scientist at the Radiation Protection Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. He holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Cape Coast. He obtained his BSc in Applied Physics and MPhil in Applied Nuclear Physics from the University for Development Studies and the University of Ghana, respectively. He has a couple of publications in the field of environmental pollution studies and Non-ionising radiation. He is an expert in Radio Frequency (RF) radiation and air pollution studies. His current research area is public exposure to RF radiation from mobile phone base stations.
Research objectives: Measure ambient RF radiation levels, Evaluate compliance, Develop predictive models for RF radiation and Contribute to policy development

Richard Dogbey, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission

Rev. Richard O. G. Dogbey is a Research Scientist at the Radiation Protection Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Accra, Ghana. His research focuses on radiation safety, and security of radioactive sources; and Effects and application of Non-ionizing radiation. His expertise include Radiation Dosimetry and Instrumentation, RF Emissions assessment. He is a member of the Ghana Association for Radiation Protection (GARP), and the Ghana Nuclear Society (GNS); and continues to establish fruitful relationships with scientists at the University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast, and the Kwame Nkrumah University Science and Technology.
Research objectives: Minimize radiation risks to workers and the public; To develop and optimize radiation protection strategies: Optimize radiation-measuring instruments; To assess and quantify radiation exposure levels, To evaluate the effectiveness of radiation protection regulations and guidelines.

Emmanuel Quarshie, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission

Mr Emmanuel Quarshie is a research scientist at the Non-Ionizing Radiation Unit of the Health Physics Centre, Radiation Protection Institute - Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. His research interest is in radiation protection and safety, focusing on public and occupational safety form both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. He has also been providing radiation safety education, training, and consultancy services to ensure public and occupational safety from non-ionizing radiation. His expertise includes Radio Frequency (RF) radiation safety, mobile base station radiation safety assessment, monitoring of environmental radiation exposure from naturally occurring radionuclides, neutron activation analysis, alpha, beta and gamma spectrometry, electromagnetic spectrum, antennas, RF standards and compliance verification. He is a member of the Ghana Association of Radiation Protection (GARP) and the Ghana Nuclear Society (GNS).

Research objectives: Improving radiation safety measures, Ensuring environmental radiation safety, Public and occupation radiation safety, Ensuring adherence to radiation safety standards

Collins Kafui Azah, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission

Dr Collins Kafui Azah is a practicing Health Physicist and Research Scientist with the Radiation Protection Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. He is the acting head of Nuclear Safety and Security Depaetment of the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana. He is a member of Ghana Association for Radiation Protection (GARP), International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA), and Ghana Nuclear Society (GNS).
Research objectives: - Radiation protection of people and the environment, Radiation metrology; Radiofrequency safety assessment; and Radiation dosimetry

Philip Deatanyah, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission

Dr Philip Deatanyah is a Lecturer and a radiation protection physicist at the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security at the graduate school of nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS), Atomic, Ghana. His area of expertise is in Radiation Shielding and Non-Ionizing radiation Safety. He is a member of the Ghana Nuclear Society (GNS) and Internation Association of Radiation Protection (IRPA). He collaborates with scientists in universities and sister institutions.

Christiana Subaar, Department of Physics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Dr Christiana Subaar is a Lecturer at the Department of Physics at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. Her research expertise lies in optimizing radiation dosages for medical imaging and therapy, striking a balance between diagnostic accuracy and patient safety. I specialize in both ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation, with a commitment to evidence-based approaches that prioritize patient outcomes. As an active member of the Ghana Science Association (GSA) and the Ghana Society for Medical Physics (GSMP), I collaborate with esteemed scientists at the Ghana

Frederick Sam, Department of Physics, College of Physical Sciences, University of Cape

Prof Frederick Sam is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics, University of Cape Coast, Ghana and also serves as the Vice Dean of the School of Physical Sciences, a position he has held since August 2022. Prof. Sam holds a PhD in Solid Earth Physics from the University of Birmingham, UK, an MPhil in Geophysics from the University of Bergen, Norway, B.Sc (Hons) in Physics and Dip Ed. from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. His academic excellence has been recognized with awards such as the Commonwealth Scholarship and the Norwegian Government Scholarship. He is an active member of several professional bodies, including the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH), Ghana Institute of Physics (GIOP) and Ghana Science Association (GSA).

Research objectives: Computational Physics, Electromagnetism, Environmental sustainability and Geophysical challenges

Joseph Kwabena Amoako, Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana

Prof. Joseph K. Amoako holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Physics and a Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast; an M.Phil. in Physics from the University of Ghana, Legon, and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Cape Coast. He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Radiation Protection from the University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg, South Africa. He undertook fellowship training in Occupational Radiation Protection at the Greek Atomic Energy Commission. He is currently, an Associate Professor in Health Physics at the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana. He is the President of the Ghana Association for Radiation Protection and an Executive Council member of the International Radiation Protection Association
Research objectives: Radiation Dosimetry, Occupational Radiation Protection and Non-ionising Radiation Protection

Radiofrequency Baseline Assessment of a Large Mining Concession Enclave and Affected Communities

RF exposure in mines

Abstract

Author Biographies