In ghana and elsewhere in africa, smallscale mining is a strategic livelihood alternative for rural communities, and it contributes tremendously. The intensification of small scale gold mining through. This article compares and contrasts the precolonial methods of mining with modern artisanal or smallscale mining popularly known in ghana as galamsey and also provide reasons to explain why traditional or precolonial mining is. Small scale mining in the ghana will remain an exclusive preserve for ghanaians in the mining sector of the economy. The increasing informality of galamsey is due largely to barriers associated with galamseyors obtaining land and licences mcquilken and hilson, 2016. Ghana is africas largest gold producer, producing 80. However, occupational health and safety ohs in the asgm sector is largely undeveloped. Conflict, collusion and corruption in smallscale gold mining in ghana. This artisanal and smallscale mining asm handbook for ghana is the result of a training session held in ghana in september 2017 through the subprogram on asm under the overall panafgeo project. Violence is a constant problem in the artisanal mining sector.
Red backs principal asset is the chirano gold project located in ghana, west africa with proven and probable reserves of 17. Conflict, collusion and corruption in smallscale gold mining in. Comparison between artisanal and small scale mining in. The development follows a growing discrepancy among members of the public that the current antigalamsey fight by government actually involves sweeping out. Smallscale mining operations and their effects in the. The third examines the rise of foreign involvement in the sector, especially by irregular chinese miners. Formalizing artisanal and smallscale mining asm challenges and ways forward dr gavin hilson the university of reading, uk. It is estimated that about million people work in artisanal and smallscale mining asm and an estimated 100 million people depend on it for their livelihood worldwide.
Small scale mining in ghana 5 reasons to start this. Artisanal and smallscale gold mining asgm has contributed significantly to ghanas gross domestic product gdp, making this activity an important source of employment and income for miners and their dependents. Gnassm ghana national association of smallscale miners. Asgm in nangodi, which was also the site of the first deep shaft mine in northern ghana has been influenced by men involved in largescale mining activities in southern ghana, with successive waves of gold mining practices affecting the lives of nangodi residentseconomically, politically, and in terms of their health, nutrition, and. Artisanal and smallscale gold mining in ghana pubs. Pdf artisanal and smallscale mining in ghana evidence to. A starting point is the insertion of women in small and mediumscale mining operations into national, regional and global value chains. Pdf artisanal and smallscale mining in ghana evidence to inform. This study examined the impact of chinese involvement in small scale gold mining in ghana. This effectively excluded africans from participating in the gold mining industry except as labourers and artisans. Sep 02, 2015 artisanal and small scale gold miners are confronted with numerous hazards often resulting in varying degrees of injuries and fatalities. Small scale mining in ghana has been listed as illegal due to lack of effective policies made by the government. The present research focuses on small scale gold mining.
Whilst other minerals mined on a small scale make important contributions to national mineral production and have. Trends in the small scale mining of precious minerals in ghana. In this way smallscale miners are assumed to fit into predetermined categories and slots, and the smallscale mining industry is re presented as emerging from a specific set of motivating factors and future possibilities e. The asm subprogram is cofunded by the european commissions directorategeneral of development and. List of best mining companies in tarkwa, ghana, top mining companies in tarkwa, ghana, mining companies near me, best mining companies.
The granting of concessional leases for largescale mining with little or no consul tation of local communities has consequences for rural dwellers who engage in farming activities for a living yaro, 2010. The government urged the miners to give them ample time to monitor the developments in the sector before implementing the fiveyear multilateral. This article compares and contrasts the precolonial methods of mining with modern artisanal or small scale mining popularly known in ghana as galamsey and also provide reasons to explain why traditional or precolonial mining is. In ghana, like many developing countries, there is paucity of information on the causes and nature of the accidents that result in the injuries. The ghanaian mining act 2006 and indonesian mineral and coal law 2009 stipulate that ghanaian and indonesian citizens, as individuals or cooperatives of up to ten people, can apply for a licence to mine on a maximum of10 ha land in areas designated for small scale mining. Ghanas total gold output is derived from the activities of an estimated one million smallscale miners, where most of them are galamsey operators who do not hold any form of mining permits ghana chamber of mines 2002.
The study examined smallscale mining operations and their effects on the livelihoods of people the east akim municipal assembly. Recommendations to address mercury and lead exposure executive summary in 2010, a major lead poisoning outbreak in zamfara state, nigeria made international headlines. Since then there have been numerous gains from the ssm industry. Partly in response, the government legalized small scale mining in 1989 but most miners still operate informally without government oversight. Chinese involvement in smallscale gold mining in ghana and its. Small scale mining companies in ghana company list. Ghana is also a major producer of bauxite, manganese and diamonds. Bolstered by historically high gold prices, a lack of viable alternative livelihoods, and a ready if expensive supply of mercury, there has been a resurgence of asgm activities in northern nigeria in recent years. Small scale mining companies in ghana including accra, kumasi, koforidua, sekonditakoradi, and more. Smallscale mining is a poverty driven activity found mainly in developing nations which often generates land use disputes with other stakeholders, particularly large mining companies andrew, 2003.
Global trends in artisanal and smallscale mining asm. In 2009, the sector contributed 7% of ghanas total corporate tax earnings, 45% of total export revenues, 19. This paper describes research undertaken in ghanas mining communities to understand the. Mining in ghana list of mining companies page 2 ghana. Consequently, a moratorium was put in place on the 1st of april 2017 to temporarily suspend artisanal and small scale mining operations for a period of six 6 months. Many believe that the industry has contributed greatly towards the socioeconomic development. Influx of chinese goldminers sparks tensions in ghana. This subsector of mining is estimated to contribute about % of the worlds gold production and about 15% of the worlds nonfuel minerals. The operations have transformed from artisanal to the use of sophisticated mining techniques in recent. Gnassm ghana national association of small scale miners. Red back mining is a publicly held resource corporation based in vancouver, canada. An artisanal miner or smallscale miner asm is a subsistence miner who is not officially employed by a mining company, but works independently, mining minerals using their own resources, usually by hand smallscale mining includes enterprises or individuals that employ workers for mining, but generally still using manuallyintensive methods, working with hand tools. A starting point is the insertion of women in small and medium scale mining operations into national, regional and global value chains.
The role of galamsey, or artisanal, small scale miners, in ghana has become increasingly important. National mining policy of ghana 6 mining sector contributed 12. Small scale miners give government ultimatum to lift ban. Ghana has 23 large scale mining companies producing gold, diamonds, bauxite and manganese, and, there are also over 300 registered small scale mining groups and 90 mine support service companies. Occupational and environmental health unit, ghana health service, pmb, ministries, accra.
The impact of small scale gold mining on mining communities in ghana isaac kojo arah university of new england ho polytechnic abstract the ghanaian mining industry is a controversial one. The environmental impact of smallscale gold mining in ghana. Injuries among artisanal and smallscale gold miners in ghana. Bolstered by historically high gold prices, a lack of viable alternative livelihoods, and a ready if expensive supply of mercury, there has been a resurgence of asgm activities in. By law, smallscale gold mining activities are limited to ghanaian nationals, are to be conducted in areas designated by the minister, and subject to a licensing arrangement. The development follows a growing discrepancy among members of the public that the current antigalamsey fight by government actually involves sweeping out ghanaians in the small scale mining industry. Smallscale mining has gained much recognition throughout the world. From a development perspective, artisanal and smallscale mining is one of the most complex economic sectors of ghana, but the extent of this type of mining is very difficult to quantify and a clear. The role of galamsey, or artisanal, smallscale miners, in ghana has become increasingly important. In ghana it employs thousands of people and affects the livelihoods of many households located within the catchment areas of the mines. Its contribution to wealth creation, employment and the economy make it one of the nations most important livelihood activities, directly employing an estimated one million people and supporting.
Mercury exposure assessment and spatial distribution in a. Exposure to mercury can have serious health impacts, including irreversible brain damage. Gold deposits are ubiquitous in ghana and have resulted in asgm and largescale gold mining across the country, making ghana the ninth largest goldproducing country in the world 8. Smallscale mining in ghana is defined to include both the exploitation of mineral deposits 1 using fairly rudimentary implements andor 2 at low levels of production with minimal capital. From a development perspective, artisanal and small scale mining is one of the most complex economic sectors of ghana, but the extent of this type of mining is very difficult to quantify and a clear. The impact of gold mining on local farming communities in ghana. The formalization process enacted in the smallscale mining laws is ineffective because it is unable to capture the magnitude and complexity of what now encompasses ghanas smallscale gold industry. Ghanamali resilience paradoxical supported link to microcredit better educational facilities.
Currently ghana is the second largest gold producer in africa, yet divisions remain between a large scale sector dominated by foreign companies and a mostly informal small scale. Smallscale mining in ghana, as in most developing countries, was for decades treated as an informal industrial sector, employing thousands of people but featuring largely rudimentary, unmonitored and uncontrolled practices. Artisanal and smallscale gold mining asgm has been practiced in ghana for many years. In ghana, artisanal and smallscale mining asm has grown in size and significance. Historical overview of traditional and modern gold mining in. Ghanas government focuses on reforming smallscale mining. List of best mining companies in ghana, top mining companies in ghana, mining companies near me, best mining companies. Quansah synopsis artisanal and smallscale mining asm plays a fundamental role in the national and local economies of resourcerich countries in africa. This study examined the impact of chinese involvement in smallscale gold mining in ghana. Currently ghana is the second largest gold producer in africa, yet divisions remain between a largescale sector dominated. Smallscale mining contributes about 30% of ghanas total gold output and provides livelihoods to large numbers of people one aspect of the controversial issue of illegal mining in ghana is the involvement of foreigners, especially chinese companies and miners findings suggest that there are serious negative impacts intensified by the involvement of chinese miners the.
The term artisan and smallscale mining asm refers to mining operations run by local enterprises, as opposed to largescale mining lsm operations, which are usually run by transnational companies. Ghanas artisanal and smallscale mining asm sector continues to. Pdf the ghanaian mining industry is a controversial one. Artisanal and smallscale mining in ghana evidence to inform an action dialogue technical report pdf available september 2016 with 1,746 reads how we measure reads. Artisanal and smallscale gold mining asgm has long been practiced in nigeria and around the world. Regulation of artisanal small scale gold mining asgm in. Asgm has grown tremendously in recent years with the rising price of gold, deregulation of gold mining, chronic unemployment, and increasing poverty 9.
Investigate the occupational, health and safety issues associated with small scale and artisanal mining in ghana. Integrated assessment of artisanal and smallscale gold. An overview of small scale gold mining before proceeding with the case study, it is important to clarify that small scale gold mining activities are not unique to ghana, and are, in fact, widespread throughout africa, latin america and asia see figure 1 for an overview of the locations of important small scale gold mining regions around the. Ghanas artisanal and smallscale mining asm sector continues to grow in size and significance. The impact of chinese involvement in smallscale gold. Many believe that the industry has contributed greatly towards the socio. This group is currently responsible for all diamond production and its share of gold production has more than doubled since 2008, as the rise in gold prices has attracted more people to try their hand at mining. Some countries such as tanzania the asm licence primary mining licence encompass the artisanal and the smallscale miners as one single sector.
In early 2017, the government introduced a countrywide ban on all smallscale mining in ghana, which was still in place in mid2018, in an attempt to bring order into the sector. An overview of smallscale gold mining before proceeding with the case study, it is important to clarify that smallscale goldmining activities are not unique to ghana, and are, in fact, widespread throughout africa, latin america and asia see figure 1 for an overview of the locations of important smallscale goldmining regions around the. Apr 23, 20 in ghana and elsewhere in africa, small scale mining is a strategic livelihood alternative for rural communities, and it contributes tremendously to the local economy, said wilbert brentum, from. The impact of smallscale gold mining on mining communities in ghana isaac kojo arah university of new england ho polytechnic abstract the ghanaian mining industry is a controversial one. In order to query localized ssm heterogeneity, a catalogue of ssm operations within 1km of a rural community in the upper denkyira east municipal district of ghana was completed. Although smallscale miners need a license before they can operate, a large part of their. Comparison between artisanal and small scale mining in ghana. This paper therefore examines the sociotechnical dimensions of ssm in ghana, representing one of the largest smallscale gold mining industries in the world, employing more than 1 million miners banchirigah, 2008. Pdf artisanal and smallscale mining in ghana evidence. This artisanal and smallscale mining asm handbook for ghana is the result of a training. These operators are currently not heavily regulated and do not pay taxes. Appiah synopsis small scale mining ssm has been going on for a long time in ghana. Partly in response, the government legalized smallscale mining in 1989 but most miners still operate informally without government oversight. The fourth section looks at the impact on the asm sector of foreign involvement, while the fifth considers the adverse consequences for lowincome ghanaians.
The granting of concessional leases for large scale mining with little or no consul tation of local communities has consequences for rural dwellers who engage in farming activities for a living yaro, 2010. Ghanas smallscale mining has evolved beyond the reach of current smallscale mining legislation. Trends in the smallscale mining of precious minerals in ghana. We are a small scale gold mining company in ghana and is seeking for honest buyers of gold.
Mining in tarkwa, ghana list of mining companies ghana. We are most interest in selling for you and if we come into agreement,can exchange gold dust with mining equipment so we can upgrade our. This company is a small scale mining company based in ghana and burkina faso. The environmental impact of small scale gold mining in ghana.
The chinese presence introduced irrevocable changes, notably the use of heavy machinery and new technology, such that the sector will never be the same again. Small scale mining in ghana is characterized by inadequate capital inputs, low level and organization of small scale mining activities in ghana by h. The present research focuses on smallscale gold mining. Gold deposits are ubiquitous in ghana and have resulted in asgm and large scale gold mining across the country, making ghana the ninth largest goldproducing country in the world 8. The term artisan and small scale mining asm refers to mining operations run by local enterprises, as opposed to large scale mining lsm operations, which are usually run by transnational companies. Conflict, collusion and corruption in smallscale gold. Investigate the ohs issues associated with smallscale and. Historical overview of traditional and modern gold mining. For this and other publications, please visit the eca web. Other countries recognise only small scale miners who are attributed a smallscale miner s licence e. Pdf the impact of smallscale gold mining on mining communities. Its contribution to wealth creation, employment and the economy makes it one of the nations most important livelihood activities, employing an estimated one million people and supporting approximately 4. Official pdf, 9 pages world bank documents world bank group.
The impact of chinese involvement in smallscale gold mining. Hello, we are a small scale gold mining company in ghana and is seeking for honest buyers of gold. The impact of smallscale gold mining on mining communities. Appiah other hand, licences were granted for diamond. Ghana has 23 largescale mining companies producing gold, diamonds, bauxite and manganese, and, there are also over 300 registered small scale mining groups and 90 mine support service companies. The mmip will have components, activities, milestones, targets, timelines and outcomes to deal with the menace for a period of five 5 years from project start date. The impact of gold mining on local farming communities in. Ghanas gold production in 20 and rural employment e.
Many believe that the industry has contributed greatly towards the socioeconomic development of the country in terms of. Artisanal mining in south africa probably has a long history, but this has not been documented. At the moment we have 35 kilos of gold for sale at the security company where buyers are allowed to view and test. As such, more effort must be geared towards fostering this type of economic. Pdf on sep 1, 2016, james mcquilken and others published artisanal and smallscale mining in ghana. Artisanal and smallscale mining formalization p168002. The government had recently lifted a ban on all illegal mining activities in ghana. Artisanal and smallscale mining is also the source of the largest releases of mercury. For zimbabwe, roger summers has mapped extensive precolonial mines, prospecting trenches, and early processing sites, but this has so far not been done for south africa.
The intensification of smallscale gold mining through. By law, small scale gold mining activities are limited to ghanaian nationals, are to be conducted in areas designated by the minister, and subject to a licensing arrangement. The issuance of new licenses to asm was also put on hold. An integrated assessment of artisanal and s gold mining in.