Combined Electrical Resistivity Imaging and Electromagnetic Survey for Groundwater Studies in the Tarkwa Mining Area, Ghana

Abstract

The major source of potable water in Tarkwa is the Bonsa Treatment Plant sourced from the Bonsa River. The activities of illegal miners along the banks of the Bonsa River has resulted in pollution of the river. This has resulted in high treatment cost and irregular supply of water to the Tarkwa Township and surrounding communities that are fed by the Bonsa Treatment Plant. In view of the difficulty in getting frequent and regular potable supply of water, people have resorted to construction of boreholes and hand-dug wells. However, the success rates and borehole yields are low especially in the hydrogeologically difficult terrains in the Tarkwa area. The aim of this paper is to investigate the hydrogeological conditions of the Tarkwa area using both the Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) and Electromagnetic (EM) geophysical techniques to determine the electrical resistivity and conductivity values that are related to groundwater accumulation, so that potential water-bearing zones can be identified. Results from electrical resistivity show that the general resistivity distribution in the Tarkwa area is between 32 Ωm and 100 000 Ωm. Water-bearing zones in the Huni Sandstone occur to a depth of 35 m with an average resistivity value of 400 Ωm, at a depth of 60 m and a resistivity of 600 Ωm in the Tarkwa Phyllite, at a depth of 55 m and a resistivity of 600 Ωm in the Banket Series and 50 m depth with resistivity value of 500 Ωm in the Kawere Conglomerate respectively. The electromagnetic conductivity values also show that the general conductivity distribution in the Tarkwa area is 3 – 32 S/m. The application of electrical resistivity and electromagnetic techniques separately gives success rate of 80 % and 65 % respectively. An improved success rate of 86 % is achieved combining the two techniques.