Review on Effects of Mining in Ghana: The Case of Obuasi Municipality

Abstract

The mining industry has been crucial to the development of Ghana. As with all industries, mining has both advantages and disadvantages for the inhabitants of mineral-rich communities. The manner in which these environmental and health effects are managed by the government, neighboring communities, and mining companies can either worsen or improve the quality of life for community residents. It appears that land degradation, environmental pollution, and numerous socioeconomic issues have been major concerns for Ghanaian communities practicing small-scale mining. The majority of these negative effects are the result of regulatory agencies' failure to adequately oversee the mining industry. This paper looks at the effects of mining in Ghana, especially in the Obuasi Municipality. It does this by looking at the history of mining in Ghana (Obuasi), the regulatory actors along the mining value chain, and some important lessons about mining.