Presentation Date: Feb 14, 2026
AGSA Abstract
Soil contamination from mining activities affects maize cultivated around the Kilembe copper mining site in Western Uganda which raises concerns about food safety. This study assessed physicochemical properties, heavy metal concentrations of soil, and the maize nutritional composition, grown from the mining site at varying distances (0, 1, 3, and 5 km) and a control site in Bushenyi (95 km). Results showed that soils near the mining site compare to control were mostly sandy or sandy-loamy, with significant changes in pH, electrical conductivity, exchangeable acidity, moisture content, and water-holding capacity. Total nitrogen decreased significantly at 0 km, while Potassium and sodium varied within 0–3 km Within 0-5 km soils, Heavy metal concentrations of Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr, and Ni were significantly higher (p<0.05), while Hg, Co and Ag were undetectable. Maize grains from 0–3 km showed elevated Cd, Cu, Pb, and Cr levels, along with increased essential minerals and moisture (Zn, Mn, Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Fe), but maize from 5 km showed no significant differences. Nutritional quality generally declined with proximity to the mine, except for riboflavin, which increased at 5 km, and tocopherol and ascorbic acid, which increased at most sites except ascorbic acid at 5 km. These results indicate potential dietary risks from heavy metal ingestion among communities cultivating maize near the mining area. The study recommends nutrient supplementation and the establishment of public health safety guidelines for farmlands within 0–3 km of mining activities
