Mining Communities In Ghana Research Articles

Determinants of Skin Diseases among Women in Rural Mining Communities: A Case Study of Mpohor District

Women in rural mining communities in Ghana are at higher threat of skin diseases due to the lax mining regulations in the country and the potential for increased exposure to environmental and occupational risk factors. Hence, investigating the prevalence and determining factors of skin diseases among women in resource-poor settings in Ghana is essential. This research intended to ascertain the prevalence of skin diseases among women in rural mining communities in the Mpohor District, Ghana, and identifying the determinants of skin diseases among the women.

Challenges of parents of young adults misusing psychoactive substances in small-scale mining communities in Ghana

Challenges of parents of young adults misusing psychoactive substances in small-scale mining communities in Ghana

Hydrogeochemistry and human health risk assessment of heavy metal pollution of groundwater in Tarkwa, a mining community in Ghana

The current study investigated the geochemical characterization and contamination of groundwater quality in Tarkwa, a mining community in Ghana. Total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, total dissolved solids, total hardness, heavy metals, and cyanide (CN) were all assessed in 74 groundwater samples. Other parameters assessed included pH, electrical conductivity, carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, and pH. Using the method recommended by the USEPA, a health risk assessment was carried out. Among the parameters which exceeded their WHO recommended threshold were pH (4.9–7.7), Conductivity (150–1082 µS/Cm), Turbidity (1.4–139.5 NTU), Magnesium (1.9–395.5 mg/L), Nitrate (4.5 mg/L–760 mg/L), phosphate (2.3–80 mg/L), Sulphate (10–855.6 mg/L), CN (1.6–16 mg/L), As (0.001–0.015 mg/L), Hg (0.001–0.005 mg/L), Cd (ND-0.009 mg/L), Mn (0.004–1.38 mg/L), Ni (0.002–0.118 mg/L). The study also showed that the groundwater in Tarkwa is naturally hard, making Ca and Mg ions the main ions determining the chemistry of the water. Similar to this, the most significant factors affecting water chemistry were rock dominance and precipitation dominance. Due to high levels of CN, As, and Cd, health risk evaluation revealed that prolonged intake of groundwater from Tarkwa is linked to both carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health risk. Children were shown to be more vulnerable to both carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health risks than adults.

Vulnerability to infectious diseases and risk reduction measures among galamsey gold mining communities in Ghana: A narrative review

Vulnerability to infectious diseases and risk reduction measures among galamsey gold mining communities in Ghana: A narrative review

Environmental exposure and potential health impact of heavy metals in previous mining communities in Ghana.

Environmental exposure and potential health impact of heavy metals in previous mining communities in Ghana.

Water quality, physicochemical, heavy metal content, and health risk assessment of borehole-water from selected mining communities in Ghana

Unregulated mining drives considerable long-term soil and water pollution with increased health risks to humans and other organisms. The main objective of this study is to assess the water quality, physicochemical parameters, heavy metal content, and health risks of borehole water from selected mining communities in Ghana. Quality parameters of 56 borehole water samples collected from 19 mining communities in the Amansie West District, Ghana were carried out. The study is one of the few studies to be carried out in the district because of its breadth of communities, depth of analysis, and scale of health risk assessments performed. Physicochemical parameters including pH, conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids, and color were evaluated using standard and appropriate methods. Additionally, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury were evaluated using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Observed mean physicochemical parameters varied from 5.1 to 6.5 pH, 59.3 to 325 μS/cm conductivity, 1.4 to 86.4 NTU turbidity, 32.5–214 mg/L total dissolved solids, and 2.5–250 Hz color. Also, the mean concentration of the heavy metals varied from 1.6 ± 2.24 to 169.14 ± 2.18 μg/L arsenic, 0.6 ± 2.24 to 6.0 ± 0.71 μg/L cadmium, 1.25 ± 2.00 to 15.60 ± 1.11 μg/L lead and 0.025 ± 2.00 to 3.33 ± 0.17 μg/L mercury. There was no statistically significant link between arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury at 0.05 concentrations predicting source diversities. Though some samples met WHO quality standards, others were unsafe with increased health risks due to color, turbidity, acidity, and high arsenic issues. In conclusion, this study observed an increased health risk in some selected sampled communities due to exposure to mining-influenced contaminations from heavy metals and particulate matter. This implies that without urgent mining waste disposal regulations, scarcity of quality water and increased risk to health issues could be imminent.

“In my Own Land, I Am Treated like a Foreigner”: Mining-Induced Challenges and Psychological Distress Among Farmers in Ghanaian Mining Communities

This study explored mining-induced challenges, experiences of psychological distress, and coping strategies among farmers in mining communities in Ghana. Using a qualitative research approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 crop farmers in two mining communities in the Ellembelle District in the Western Region of Ghana. Thematic analysis of the data suggests that psychological distress is a common experience among farmers in mining communities. Farmers’ experiences of psychological distress emanate from various mining-induced challenges, including deprivation of vital resources, constraints on farming activities, economic hardship, and adjustment difficulties associated with displacement and resettlement. Faced with limited formal support services, farmers in mining communities employ religious faith, avoidance, and adaptation as mechanisms for coping with the adverse impacts of mining. The findings of this study suggest the need to address issues related to psychological well-being before and after the onset of mining activities in communities.

Effects of artisanal gold mining and routes towards sustainable development for a low‐profile mining community in Ghana

AbstractThe objective of the study is to examine the effects of artisanal and small‐scale gold mining (ASGM) and routes towards sustainable development (SD) for a low‐profile mining community in Ghana. The study drew on the literature on mining, sustainable development, and the Natural Resource Curse (NRC) theory. Data were gathered using semi‐structured interviews and focus group discussions with 203 participants selected through the purposive and snowball sampling methods. The data were analysed using the thematic approach. The findings indicate that although ASGM supported livelihoods through employment and income generation, it had numerous negative effects that weakened the ‘pillars’ of SD, namely social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Among others, the study reveals conflicts, drop‐out and absenteeism among students andpupils, drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, child labour, and violence in the host community. Economically, ASGM affected agricultural production and food security following the destruction of farms and farmlands, while labour and capital were moved from farming to mining. Environmentally, air and water bodies were polluted, flora and fauna destroyed, and productive lands degraded. In short, the SD costs were perceived to be greater than the benefits, lending credence to the NRC theory. Several of these adverse effects were due to the fact that the activities were neither formalized nor regulated. Besides, the operations were characterized by inappropriate technology and lack of geological data, leading to unsustainable mining practices resulting in anti‐development outcomes. By way of routes towards sustainability, it is recommended that the operations be formalized under the existing Community Mining Scheme and regulated to ensure responsible, accountable, and sustainable mining. The Scheme should be strengthened in order to drive positive impact‐making mining operations by means of introducing a sustainability‐oriented licensing regime, sustainable mining technologies, access to land and geological data, stakeholder participation, capacity building on sustainable mining literacy, and eco‐friendly mine closure strategies.

Sustainable water supply: Wastewater recycling in gold mining communities in Ghana

Increasing small-scale mining has resulted in water pollution in various mining communities. Supplying potable water is certainly a very important task that needs to be addressed properly at local, national, and international levels. Based on this, the need for wastewater recycling in mining communities becomes necessary. This study combines the Self-Determination theory and Norm activation model with community identity to investigate willingness to recycle (WTR) wastewater in mining communities. Using data from 504 miners and adopting the partial least square structural equation modeling, analysis has been made. It is revealed that intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation positively influence WTR. Awareness of consequences and ascription of responsibilities both have a positive influence on personal norms. Personal norm is a positive predictor of WTR. Community identity positively influences motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic), personal norms, and WTR. The mediating roles of personal norms and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation are also established in the designed model. Theoretical and practical implications have been outlined and discussed for future studies and authorities. Collaboration from the government, private sectors, NGOs, localists, and concession owners is needed for a sustainable water supply.

Baseline assessment of naturally occurring radionuclides in borehole water of Asikam-gold mining community in Ghana

The main source of drinking water and domestic usage for the population of Asikam in the Fanteakwa South Municipality is from hand-dug wells and mechanized boreholes. This study assessed naturally occurring radionuclides Radium-226(Ra-226), Thorium-232(Th-232) and Patassium-40(K-40) in the water from these sources. A random sample of 20 sampling points made up of 7 manually dug wells and 13 mechanically drilled boreholes were taken from Asikam Communities. The radioactive contents of the selected water sources were characterized and analysed using gamma spectrometry system with High Pure Germanium Detector. This assessment was carried out to determine the level of natural radioactivity that the processing of gold ore at the Asikam illegal mining site in Ghana exposes the public to. The mean activity concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40 were obtained as 0.30 Bq/L, 0.49 Bq/L, and 2.44 Bq/L in the water samples respectively. The results from this study were found to be lower than the Guidance levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2011; IAEA,2014) of 1 Bq/l for Ra-226 and Th-232. The estimated average committed annual effective dose for water samples was 0.17 mSv/yr which is lower than the 1 mSv/yr recommended limits for public exposure by the WHO. The cancer fatality risk and hereditary consequences from exposure to naturally occurring radionuclides which may result from the Asikam community's mining and mineral processing operations were evaluated and found to be insignificant. The findings of this study demonstrate radioactivity levels are within the range of natural background radiation levels as reported in the literature, and they compare favorably with findings from comparable studies conducted nationally and internationally. This study provides important baseline information for future research in the study area.

Incidences of human rights violations and practice of the voluntary principles on security and human rights in selected mining communities in Ghana

The paper examined the implementation of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) in Ghana's extractive sector from the perspective of three selected resource-endowed host communities. An exploratory design involving the use of stakeholder analysis in sequential phases was used for this study. Transect walks, in-depth interviews and community-based focus group discussions were the techniques employed in the data collection. The results indicated that there is a general lack of awareness of the VPSHR by most stakeholders, especially at the local level. Even though some mining companies have signed onto the voluntary principles, implementation and adherence are not adequate because there is no community participation in any risk assessment and mitigation strategies developed by mining companies thereby resulting in a lack of trust in the process. The paper concludes that there is a general lack of knowledge of the VPSHR and an absence of mechanisms to demand social accountability which presents a challenge to adherence and achievement of desired outcomes. This calls for efforts to be made to improve the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and national-level VPSHR implementing agencies and departments.

The economic impact of corporate social responsibility on the development of indigenous communities: evidence from Ghana’s mining sector

PurposeThis study aims to examine the socio-economic and environmental impacts of mining activities as perceived by communities in Ghana, with data being drawn from primary and secondary sources.Design/methodology/approachA total of 90 community residents were interviewed, with 15 from each of the six selected different communities.FindingsThe findings revealed a positive perception that corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices of mining companies contribute to the development of mining communities in Ghana by creating jobs and generating income. However, it became clear that mining activities, particularly small-scale mining, create many social and environmental challenges as well. This includes land degradation, which reduces the fertility of community-owned land suitable for agricultural use. In addition, pollution of waterways and streams intensifies the plight of community residents living in mining areas.Originality/valueSince 2011, the mining industry has invested between US$12m (in 2013) and US$44m (in 2011) in Ghana’s communities. The amount spent in 2019 was US$24m. The funds were spent by the industry in areas such as roads, education, health and electricity, among others. Still, it seems more effort is needed by the mining companies to harmonise the CSR practice and gain better impression by local people. In spite of the mining industry’s investment levels, more than half of the community respondents said it was insufficient. One-third of the respondents went as far as suggesting the mining companies had a negative impact on infrastructure improvement and community development.

Available Legal Regime and The Use of Mercury for Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of mercury (Hg) and available laws to regulate its use in the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) Community in Ghana. Research shows that the use of Hg in the ASGM causes damage to the cognitive and neurological function of the miners, as well as to the physical and mental disabilities to children in the ASGM communities. Furthermore, number of publications also shows that the use of Hg causes significant damage to water bodies and the environment in most mining communities. Additionally, in an attempt to protect the environment from these high levels of Hg in these mining sites and beyond, has led to some conflict and military intervention. Even though, Ghana has adequate laws to regulate Hg use by reducing and where feasible eliminate the use of Hg for small-scale mining. However, due to some legal limitations to the current situation there is the need to amend some of these laws to help address these challenges. In addition, certain policies, technological and educational initiatives taken to address the use of Hg in our environment, have proven largely ineffective. The results of this study shows that the implementation of mining regulation without careful analysis of mine community dynamics, the organization of activities, operators’ needs and local geological conditions has resulted in some challenges. However, significant improvements can only be achieved in this area if the state and the organs of government tackle the illegal mining “galamsey” menace; introducing cost-effective techniques for the reduction of the use of Hg in mining; effective government sponsored participatory training exercises as mechanisms for communicating information about appropriate technologies and the environment; and strengthening compliance and enforcement of existing laws. In conclusion there is the urgent need to properly regulate the use of Hg in mining communities in Ghana.

The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and local institutions in Ghana’s mining communities: Challenges in understanding barriers to accountability

SummaryMotivationThe Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a global standard that promotes transparency and accountability in resource‐rich countries to improve governance of the extractive sector. Despite improvements in the subnational disclosure of royalty payments, a significant problem is the failure of these efforts to improve accountability and benefits to mining communities.PurposeThe article asks how institutions of local governance affect national efforts to improve accountability to mining communities in Ghana on the use of mineral revenues for development. It contributes to the broader theoretical literature on EITI by clarifying what outcomes, if any, can be directly attributed to the disclosure of royalty payments.Methods and approachThis qualitative study employs a case‐study analysis of EITI adoption in Ghana, one of the first countries to join the initiative. The article contextualizes local governance institutions and dynamics in relation to the royalty disbursement process. It draws on original field research to analyse their role in impeding the expected benefits of royalty disbursements to mining‐affected communities.FindingsThe research identifies deficiencies in local governance structures and processes as they relate to the use of mineral royalties, but also instances of variation in how officials react to EITI. The range of individual actors, institutions, and complex processes on which the subnational disbursement of royalties depends, makes it problematic to attribute the absence of improvements directly to Ghana's EITI. The findings demonstrate that EITI's role in participating countries is best understood as facilitative and indirect when addressing development outcomes for mining communities.Policy implicationsDisclosure of royalty payments to local governments is unlikely on its own to result in improved development outcomes for local communities, even when the national government is committed to the goal. There is a need for policy interventions aimed at specific communities to ensure royalty payments reach the intended beneficiaries. These interventions should be tailored to the differences in national governance dynamics in countries participating in EITI, paying attention to contestation over the distribution and expenditure of royalties that disclosure helps bring to light.

“We Are Losing Our Identity as People”: The Impact of Mining on the Sociocultural Practices of People in Mining Communities in Ghana

AbstractMineral exploration in Africa has generated debates as to whether it is a blessing or a curse. However, the ongoing deliberations have not yet interrogated the effect of mining on the cultural practices of people living in mining communities. Therefore, this study aims to fill this scholarly gap through an exploration of the consequences of mining on the culture of people living in mining communities in Ghana. For this qualitative study, twenty-eight opinion leaders from five mining communities were recruited. It was found that the negative effects of mining that are consistently reported in the literature have cultural ramifications. For instance, the seizure of farmlands, displacements from ancestral homes, relocations, and the introduction of deviant behaviors negatively impacted the culture and practices of people in the mining communities. The need for policymakers to consider the local culture in interactions between corporate and small-scale mining entities and communities is discussed.

Burden of malaria in children under five and caregivers\u2019 health-seeking behaviour for malaria-related symptoms in artisanal mining communities in Ghana

BackgroundArtisanal mining creates enabling breeding ground for the vector of malaria parasites. There is paucity of data on the effects of artisanal mining on malaria. This study assessed burden of malaria and caregivers’ health-seeking behaviour for children under five in artisanal mining communities in East Akim District in Ghana.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving caregivers and their children under five was conducted in three artisanal mining communities in the East Akim District in Ghana. Caregivers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Finger prick blood samples were collected and analysed for haemoglobin concentration using a rapid diagnostic test, and thick and thin blood smears were analysed to confirm the presence of malaria parasites.ResultsOf the 372 children under 5 years included in the study, 197 (53.1%) were male, with a mean age (± SD) of 23.0 ± 12.7 months. The proportion of children with malaria (Plasmodium falciparum and P. malariae) was 98.1% and 1.9%, respectively, whilst the proportion with anaemia (Hb < 11.0 g/dl) was 39.5% (n = 147). Almost all caregivers were female (98.9%), and 28.6% (n = 106) did not have access to any malaria control information. Caregivers associated malaria infection with mosquito bites (68.3%, n = 254) and poor sanitation (21.2%, n = 79). Malaria in children under five was significantly associated with anaemia (OR 11.07, 95% CI 6.59–18.68, n = 111/160, 69.4%; P < 0.0001), residing close to stagnant water (≤ 25 m) from an artisanal mining site (AOR 2.91, 95% CI 1.47–5.76, P = 0.002) and caregiver age younger than 30 years (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.208–0.917, n = 162, 43.55%, P = 0.001).ConclusionsThere is a high burden of malaria and anaemia among children under five in artisanal mining communities of the East Akim District, and far higher than in non-artisanal mining sites. Interventions are needed to effectively regulate mining activities in these communities, and strengthen malaria control and health education campaigns to curtail the high malaria burden and improve health-seeking behaviour.Graphical abstract

Case finding of tuberculosis among mining communities in Ghana.

Data on active TB case finding activities among artisanal gold mining communities (AMC) is limited. The study assessed the yield of TB cases from the TB screening activities among AMC in Ghana, the factors associated with TB in these communities and the correlation between the screening methods and a diagnosis of TB. We conducted secondary data analyses of NTP program data collected from TB case finding activities using symptom screening and mobile X-ray implemented in hard to reach AMC. Yield of TB cases, number needed to screen (NNS) and the number needed to test (NNT) to detect a TB case were assessed and logistic regression were conducted to assess factors associated with TB. The performance of screening methods chest X-ray and symptoms in the detection of TB cases was also evaluated. In total 10,441 people from 78 communities in 24 districts were screened, 55% were female and 60% (6,296) were in the aged 25 to 54 years. Ninety-five TB cases were identified, 910 TB cases per 100,000 population screened; 5.6% of the TB cases were rifampicin resistant. Being male (aOR 5.96, 95% CI 3.25-10.92, P < 0.001), a miner (aOR 2.70, 95% CI 1.47-4.96, P = 0.001) and age group 35 to 54 years (aOR 2.27, 95% CI 1.35-3.84, P = 0.002) were risk factors for TB. NNS and NNT were 110 and 24 respectively.; Cough of any duration had the strongest association with X-ray suggestive of TB with a correlation coefficient of 0.48. Cough was most sensitive for a diagnosis of TB; sensitivity of 86.3% (95% CI 79.4-93.2) followed by X-ray, sensitivity 81.1% (95% CI 71.7-88.4). The specificities of the symptoms and X-rays ranged from 80.2% (cough) to 97.3% (sputum). The high risk of TB in the artisanal mining communities and in miners in this study reinforces the need to target these populations with outreach programs particularly in hard to reach areas. The diagnostic value of cough highlights the usefulness of symptom screening in this population that may be harnessed even in the absence of X-ray to identify those suspected to have TB for further evaluation.

Contamination, exposure and risk assessment of mercury in the soils of an artisanal gold mining community in Ghana

Mercury pollution has pervaded many artisanal gold mining communities in the world, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate the potential risk of mercury pollution in soils in Gbani, an artisanal gold mining community in Ghana. Two hundred and thirty-seven soil samples were collected from within 0–10 cm depth, from active mining sites near residences, two transects in the community, waste soil from mining processing and the surroundings of the community. The measured mean mercury soil concentrations were 71 mg Hg/kg in active mining sites, and more moderate (2.7 mg Hg/kg) along transects through the community. Enrichment Factors classified the soils of the study area as being moderately to extremely severely contaminated with mercury. The spatial distribution shows the contamination of mercury is highest at residential facilities and decreases through the community to the outskirts covered by vegetation. Hazard quotients for non-cancer effects identified air-borne exposure pathways for humans to pose the largest risk, including the inhalation of vapour. The average hazard indices recorded were 0.5 (child) and 0.1 (adult) at the grid, 2 (child) and 0.3 (adult) at the transects, 1.6 (child) and 0.2 (adult) for waste soil and 76 (child) and 10.9 (adult) at the mining sites. The inhabitants of Gbani community are therefore at risk of non-cancer effects of mercury as the hazard quotients and hazard index were above one.

For the Environment: An Assessment of Recent Military Intervention in Informal Gold Mining Communities in Ghana

This article reflects critically on the impacts of the recent ban on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) – low-tech, labour-intensive mineral extraction and processing – in Ghana. Government officials claimed that a ban was necessary because the country’s ASM activities, most of which are found in the informal economy, pose a serious threat to local waterbodies and that security forces were needed for its enforcement. It is argued here, however, that projecting the ban and associated military intervention as actions taken specifically to protect the environment has helped the government escape scrutiny over its choice of strategy to combat illegal mining. Perhaps more importantly, it has masked what may be the real reasons behind these moves: 1) to help the government regain control of the purchasing side of an ASM sector that is now heavily populated and influenced by foreigners; and 2) to put it in an improved position to demarcate parcels of land to the multinational mineral exploration and mining companies that supply it with significant quantities of revenue in the form of taxes, royalties and permit fees.

Analysis of livelihood issues in resettlement mining communities in Ghana

Recognition of the importance of land access in mining resettlement communities in the context of sustainable development discourse in many African countries has not necessarily been translated into practice. This paper describes the livelihood challenges and sustainable development implications of a mining-induced resettlement programme in Ghana within the framework of dualist land tenure regime. Using household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, findings indicate that the mining-induced resettlement projects triggered precarious living conditions for affected populations. Affected communities are faced with unanticipated economic hardships: high food prices, water and electricity bills, exposure to various illnesses, and loss of farmlands. Institutions and laws on land access and use in Ghana also marginalise the vulnerable, entrench inequality, and undermine efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly goal 1 targets 4 and 5. The paper proposes a rethink of Ghana's land tenure regime, which appropriates all mineral rich lands to the government, as a necessity if any meaningful progress is to be made towards achieving the SDGs.