Guano mining in Kenyan lava tunnel caves
Commercial mining of bat guano for agricultural fertilizer only became possible in Kenya through discovery of major deposits in the lava tunnel caves of Mt. Suswa and the North Chyulu Hills in the early 1960’s. This paper provides historical information leading up to the guano mining, describes the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of South Florida Libraries
1998-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Speleology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.ijs.speleo.it/pdf/9.72.27_SimonsGuano.pdf |
| Summary: | Commercial mining of bat guano for agricultural fertilizer only became possible in Kenya through discovery of major deposits in the lava tunnel caves of Mt. Suswa and the North Chyulu Hills in the early 1960’s. This paper provides historical information leading up to the guano mining, describes the cave deposits, outlines the mining under-takings, and provides information on the guano producing bats and insect faunas. The results of guano analyses, details of the tonnages extracted and sold to recipients between 1966 to 1984, and some benefits which resulted from its use on crops are given. A brief outline of attempts to conserve the areas and caves is also included. |
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| ISSN: | 0392-6672 1827-806X |