“We are mine workers”: Feminists’ political economy in artisanal and small scale gold mining in the Talensi District, Ghana

Abstract

This article aims at exploring the social and political elements in women’s practices in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in the Talensi District in Ghana. This study draws on feminist political economy literature to investigate how women exercise agency in this maledominated industry to carve out spaces for participation. In addressing how women exercise agency, this study examines the structural constraints of women in ASM and women’s practices to overcome those constraints. Although women take part in limited, unremunerated activities in the ASM industry, this study moves beyond socioeconomic dynamics into rethinking sociopolitical practices in ‘unmonitored’ spaces. This study employed ethnographic methods of participant observation, focus group discussions, voice-recorded semi-structured interviews, extensive field notes, and immersion in women’s work as miners to collect data in the Talensi mining area. The participants of this study were selected based on residence at the mines, interest to respond to the questions and motivation to be part of the study. Altogether, forty women with an average age of 40 years and eight men with an average age of 35 years were interviewed. Data analysis comprised a six-phase guide theoretical and thematic framework. The findings of the study noted that women’s work practices, organization and roles in the male-dominated ASM industry provide a clear picture of innovative and skillful actors. Women proactively engage in practices that promote their ability to carve spaces for participation. For example, women employ ethnicity as a tool to recruit other women into the industry. In conclusion, despite structural constraints in the small-scale mining industry, women create spaces in the substructures of the industry to negotiate for better remuneration and leadership roles, exercising their individual and collective agency. This study recommends that any programs and policies on ASM in Ghana should promote women’s proactive participation and contribution to the industry.