Small scale mining in Ghana - Techniques and environmental considerations

Abstract

Since 1989 when small scale mining in Ghana was legalised, a lot of interest has been generated in the sector because of it's socio-economic benefits However, owing to lack of the necessary training and inadequate financial base on the part of small scale operators, most operations are poorly managed environmentally. The paper describes the state-of-the-art in Ghana, makes a critical review of the various operations highlighting activities which are potentially hazardous and also constitute environmentally unacceptable practices. Suggestions considered more environmentally friendly have been proposed to improve the situation.