Soil Quality Assessment under Open-Cast Coal Mining in the Gayatri Coal Mines, Surajpur, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

Open-cast coal extraction has rapidly expanded across central India, yet its influence on the fundamental properties of soils in many active mining belts remains poorly documented. The present investigation examines how continued mining activity has altered the chemical balance, nutrient availability, and general soil condition in the Gayatri Coalfield of Surajpur District, Chhattisgarh. Sixteen samples were taken from two depth intervals (15–30 cm and 30–50 cm) at varying distances from the mine and compared with soils from nearby agricultural land used as a control. Laboratory analysis of pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, major nutrients (N, P, K, S), and micronutrients (Zn, B, Fe, Mn, Cu) revealed clear patterns of disturbance. Soils close to the mining zone were distinctly more acidic, showed marked losses of organic carbon and nitrogen, and displayed irregular micronutrient levels, while the control soils maintained near-neutral pH and higher organic matter. Increased concentrations of iron and manganese near the mine point to metal release triggered by geological exposure and surface oxidation. These findings demonstrate that open-cast mining has substantially weakened soil fertility in the region and emphasize the need for restoration programmes that combine organic inputs, microbial activity enhancement, and sustained environmental monitoring.