Post-mining reclamation is an essential component of mine closure, aimed at restoring degraded lands to safe, stable, and sustainable conditions that support ecological integrity, community wellbeing, and the mining industry’s long-term viability. This study evaluated the ecological effectiveness of a reclamation project undertaken by a large-scale mining company in Ghana, focusing on vegetation recovery two decades after reclamation in the Amansie West District, Ashanti Region. A comparative approach was used, assessing a reclaimed waste rock dump alongside an adjacent natural forest serving as a reference site. Twelve 25 m × 25 m plots were established in each site to record tree species with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥10 cm, while saplings (DBH <10 cm, height ≥1.5 m) and seedlings (height <1.5 m) were assessed using nested subplots. Results revealed marked differences in species richness and diversity between the two sites. The reclaimed site recorded 1,260 individuals representing 78 species and 34 families, compared with 1,454 individuals, 139 species, and 47 families in the reference forest. Tree diversity indices were considerably lower in the reclaimed site (1.08) compared with the reference site (2.25). Vegetation in the reclaimed area was largely dominated by exotic species, notably Acacia mangium, Senna siamea, Gliricidia sepium, and Leucaena leucocephala, which collectively contributed 78% of the total Importance Value Index (IVI). In contrast, the reference forest exhibited greater structural and compositional diversity, with indigenous species accounting for 54% of the IVI. Non-metric multidimensional scaling further indicated a moderate similarity in herbaceous species composition between the two sites. Overall, findings suggest that despite notable progress, two decades of reclamation have not fully restored the waste rock dump to natural forest conditions. These results highlight the need for improved species selection, prioritization of indigenous plants, and adaptive management strategies to enhance the long-term success of post-mining land rehabilitation in Ghana.
