Perception of Small-Scale Miners on Interventions to Eradicate Illegal Small-Scale Mining in Ghana

Rejoice Selorm Wireko-Gyebi,Imoro Braimah,Anne Mette Lykke,Godfred Darko,Owusu Amponsah,Michael Osei Asibey,Rudith Sylvana King

doi:10.1177/2158244020963668

Rejoice Selorm Wireko-Gyebi, Imoro Braimah + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020963668

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Abstract

The proliferation of illegal mining in Ghana, coupled with its environmental impacts, especially on water bodies has compelled the government to ban all artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) activities in the country. The ban is intended to promote environmental sustainability while the government takes steps to provide sustainable health, and environmental-friendly ASM in Ghana. This paper assesses the perception of registered miners on the current approach by the Ghanaian government to stop illegal mining. Analyses of data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews revealed that the miners felt “left out” of the entire process. They maintained that they were not directly involved in the process to ban illegal mining in Ghana. To them, the proliferation of illegal mining in Ghana is the result of non-performing government institutions, corruption, and cumbersome licensing procedures. The article calls for improvement in the collaboration between the government and miners through a simplified participatory framework for the management of ASM in Ghana.

Highlights

Studies show that artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) activities are often unregulated and have led to the destruction of the environment in diverse ways (Baah-Ennumh, 2010; Hilson, 2017; Hilson & Maconachie, 2020; Veiga & Morais, 2014)
The problems relating to ASM such as the excessive use of dangerous chemicals, water pollution, poor health and safety, and child labor have gained some form of attention in global discourse over the past few years (Antwi-Boateng & Akudugu, 2020; Buss et al, 2019)
Three main causes of illegal mining were highlighted by participants: (a) corruption on the part of government officials, (b) non-enforcement of laws, and (c) the complex and cumbersome licensing procedure

Summary

Introduction

Studies show that artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) activities are often unregulated and have led to the destruction of the environment in diverse ways (Baah-Ennumh, 2010; Hilson, 2017; Hilson & Maconachie, 2020; Veiga & Morais, 2014). The problems relating to ASM such as the excessive use of dangerous chemicals, water pollution, poor health and safety, and child labor have gained some form of attention in global discourse over the past few years (Antwi-Boateng & Akudugu, 2020; Buss et al, 2019) These issues are reported not to systemically address the transition of ASM from a negative to a positive activity to minimize the adverse environmental impacts and create sustainable livelihoods (Hilson, 2006; Hruschka & Echavarria, 2011; Tschakert, 2009). Several interventions have been made to manage ASM locally and globally

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