Impact of topsoil mining for unfired mudbricks on soil quality in eastern <scp>KwaZulu‐Natal</scp> , South Africa

Topsoil mining associated with informal mud brick making is common in rural villages of South Africa. The impact topsoil on soil quality, however has not been investigated. This study therefore assessed the unfired bricks selected quality indicators two KwaZulu-Natal, Firstly, local miners were interviewed to ascertain information related mining, brickfield site identification and suitability for bricks. Two brickfields per village mined 5 >20 years, respectively used this study. Experiment consisted three treatments, i.e. unmined, recovering lands replicated times. Nine samples collected (0 - 10cm) from each (three composite treatment) corresponding bulk density taken at 0 -5cm using core rings. average depth was 30cm. Interviews revealed that isidaka (poorly drained sandy clay) isibomvu (red soil) are preferred over ubumba (clayey) soils. increased silt fraction across all studied an 45.2% compared 30.6% unmined treatments. response clay fractions variable time. Mining significantly decreased mean weight diameter (MWD), exchangeable bases, organic carbon nitrogen content stocks porosity while it density. Results show results poor physical nutrient availability storage implications land degradation brickfields.