Abstract
This report is one of three synthesis documents produced via an integrated assessment (IA) that aims to increase understanding of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Ghana. Given the complexities surrounding ASGM, an IA framework was utilized to analyze economic, social, health, and environmental data, and co-develop evidence-based responses with pertinent stakeholders. The current analysis focuses on the health of ASGM miners and community members, and synthesizes extant data from the literature as well as co-authors’ recent findings regarding the causes, status, trends, and consequences of ASGM in Ghana. The results provide evidence from across multiple Ghanaian ASGM sites that document relatively high exposures to mercury and other heavy metals, occupational injuries and noise exposure. The work also reviews limited data on psychosocial health, nutrition, cardiovascular and respiratory health, sexual health, and water and sanitation. Taken together, the findings provide a thorough overview of human health issues in Ghanaian ASGM communities. Though more research is needed to further elucidate the relationships between ASGM and health outcomes, the existing research on plausible health consequences of ASGM should guide policies and actions to better address the unique challenges of ASGM in Ghana and potentially elsewhere.
Highlights
The practice of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is increasing in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) mainly due to the rising price of gold and widespread poverty
Studies on non-mercury heavy metals in environmental media, biota, and humans tend to be focused in southwest Ghana, leaving a knowledge gap of the status of heavy metals pollution in mining areas in northern Ghana, where officials have mentioned that mining activities are expanding [60]
A cross-sectional study in 1997 in Para, Brazil did not find a dose-response relationship between mercury exposure and likelihood of prevalent malaria infection, but the authors stated that “there was a possible reduction in acquisition of immunity that may be associated with conditions in gold mining, including mercury exposure” [135]
Summary
The practice of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is increasing in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) mainly due to the rising price of gold and widespread poverty. Much of the scientific research to date has focused on adverse effects associated with mercury use and exposure, though there exist many additional direct and indirect factors that contribute to poor human health conditions in ASGM communities (Figure 1). This necessitates that health impacts, as well as planning for interventions and service delivery, be viewed under a broad public health lens.
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