Mining Companies In Ghana Research Articles

Linking or de-linking sustainable mining practices and corporate social responsibility? Insights from Ghana

In spite of the growing popularity of this endeavor, it can be argued that it is not a corporation's primary objective to advance development in areas where they operate. However, due to prevailing community concerns and the negative ramifications of their activities on local livelihoods, they tend to embrace this idea both in discourse and actual corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Thus, our goal is not to argue that mining companies have not embraced the notion of ‘sustainable development’. Instead, we seek to highlight the discrepancy that exists between practices they consider to be sustainable and the experiences and perceptions of local communities regarding such activities. Based on our analysis of two gold mining companies in Ghana, we suggest that this discrepancy prevails due to the mere focus on land reclamation and other disjointed CSR programs instead of a more nuanced framework that places affected communities at its core.

Employee motivation and work performance: A comparative study of mining companies in Ghana

Purpose: The paper empirically compares employee motivation and its impact on performance in Ghanaian Mining Companies, where in measuring performance, the job satisfaction model is used.Design/methodology/approach: The study employed exploratory research design in gathering data from four large-scale Gold mining companies in Ghana with regards to their policies and structures in the effectiveness of motivational tools and strategies used by these companies.Findings: The study observed that, due to the risk factors associated with the mining industry, management has to ensure that employees are well motivated to curb the rate at which employees embark on industrial unrest which affect performance, and employees are to comply with health and safety rules because the industry contribute hugely to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.Research Limitations/Implications: Limitation to the present study include the researcher’s inability to contact other mining companies. However, the study suggests possibilities for future research including contacting other mining companies, expanding the sample size, managers ensuring that the safety and health needs of staff are addressed particularly those exposed to toxic and harmful chemicals.Originality/Value: A lot of studies have been done on mining companies in the past. This paper fills a gap perceived that employees in this sector are highly motivated in spite of the challenges being faced by them, and knowing more about what keeps employees moving is still of national interest.

Corporate Social Responsibility of Mining Companies in Ghana: The case of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited at Ahafo

It is perceived by many that communities in Ghana that host large scale mining activities are affluent and outpace several other communities in terms of socio-economic development. This seems not to be the case. This notwithstanding, mining companies have an obligation to fulfil towards the communities they operate within as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This necessitated an assessment of the Corporate Social Responsibility of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited at Ahafo in Ghana. This paper considered relevant literature pertaining to the subject matter, the views of community members within the mining enclave of Ahafo as well as that of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited. A sample of 180 respondents was chosen through a purposive sampling technique. Key personalities including an Assemblyman, a Youth Leader, and three resettled persons were interviewed. There was also a focused group discussion among community members. The study found out Newmont has not deviated from its CSR in the region.

Exploring the link between corporate social responsibility and health and safety in the mines

Purpose– The aim of this paper is to set a baseline understanding of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) concept amongst the different stakeholders in the mining industry in Ghana and further examine their appreciation of issues of occupational health and safety. It explored the integration of issues of health and safety of employees into the broader CSR agenda through a stakeholder analysis.Design/methodology/approach– The study population comprised various stakeholders operating in the mining industry of Ghana. The purposive sampling technique was used in the selection of the organisations/institutions that participated in the study. In all, 35 people were interviewed, and the interview data were analysed using thematic-content analysis.Findings– The findings provide an insight into how the various stakeholders in the mining industry in Ghana understood the CSR concept and how they went about practising it. Appreciation of issues health and safety by the various stakeholders also received considerable attention. All the stakeholders equated CSR to community relations. In all the cases, respondents referred to the local community as their focal point when discussing the concept.Originality/value– On the basis of this paper, it appears that mining companies in Ghana have looked upon the concept as a strategic challenge and not as a series of high-profile initiatives aimed at ensuring a responsible business practice. This paper adds to the literature by providing a perspective on how CSR associates with health and safety.

Corporate Social Responsibility Activities of Mining Companies: The Views of the Local Communities in Ghana

Mining companies in Ghana seem to have responded somehow over the years to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) call but some still face open resistance from members of the communities who see them (mining companies) as socially irresponsible. The research sought to unearth the views and concerns of the local communities about the CSR activities of mining companies in the Ashanti, Eastern and Western regions of Ghana. The sample was drawn from the catchment communities of gold mining companies who had commercial membership, level A, with the Ghana Chamber of mines. The research established that there was indeed the existence of some health, education, community aid, and livelihood related CSR activities in the communities. The research revealed that most people, especially, in the Eastern region and the Western region had concerns about the lack of frequent medical screening by the mining companies. They are of the view that the operations of the mining companies have a negative effect on them (local community). The research concluded with some recommendations on how local community concerns could be addressed.

A Survey of Mining and Tailings Disposal Practices of Selected Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Companies in Ghana

Management of small scale mining operations for maximum profitability with good environmental stewardship requires careful planning of mining and tailings disposal strategies. Field studies and observations of eleven selected artisanal and small-scale gold mining companies winning gold from alluvial (placer) source mostly, but also mine out cropping and underground quartz veins where available from the Takwaian and Birimian Formations in southwestern Ghana. Excavation is either by pitting or using backhoes. Sluicing, panning followed by mercury amalgamation and then roasting to recover the gold is the beneficiation method in use. Riverine waste rocks/tailings disposal is the main management invoked, however some companies do sell their waste to construction firms. Environmentally mining operations are impacting rivers with siltation, mercury pollution, channel diversions and possibly change in heavy metals concentration and water chemistry. Vast arable lands are degraded leaving peasant farmers with no livelihood due to failure by concessionaires to reclaim lands after closure. Only two companies out of the eleven somehow demonstrated environmental consciousness by constructing small tailings dam and backfilling some pits.

Impact of ISO 14001 Environmental Management System on Key Environmental Performance Indicators of Selected Gold Mining Companies in Ghana

The impact of ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) on waste management, noise level, air quality, energy consumption, and number of reported environmental incidents as key environmental performance indicators was assessed. The assessment was based on annual and monthly environmental data and report from the selected gold mining companies (Gold Field Ghana Limited (GFGL) and AngloGold Ashanti (AGA)) before and after the implementation of the management system. Interviews with environmental managers and staff as well as field observations were also conducted. The results show that the implementation of ISO 14001 EMS by the two gold mining companies led to significant environmental improvements, particularly in waste management, reported environmental incidents, and energy consumption. Segregation of waste was adopted in both companies to ensure appropriate disposal mechanisms to mitigate pollution. Energy consumption significantly decreased in AGA following certification because of the energy conservation policy adopted by the company. In addition, the implementation of the standard brought significant increase in the total number of reported environmental incidents due to the incident reporting protocol inherent in the environmental management system. In all, it was clear that the management system is related to the environmental objectives and targets of the individual organisations and commitment towards fulfilment of the set objectives.

Management of Acid Mine Drainage within a Wetland in the Tarkwa Area

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is an environmental phenomenon that is being experienced by some surface mining companies in Ghana. Consequently, there is the need to generate information and expand local expertise base in handling this phenomenon. This work explored the sustainable anaerobic wetland mitigation method for the management of this phenomenon. Results of water analysis showed that the pH at the acidic effluent discharge area is 4.4 but then it increased gradually to pH of 7.5 in the wetland. The study identified a sulphate reducing bacterium (Desulfovibrio desulfuricans) in the wetland, whose activity produced OH- ions that raised the pH of the acidic effluent resulting in the precipitation of heavy metals like iron, lead and nickel. Consequently, if the natural anaerobic remediation is engineered, the effluent from the AMD can be treated and discharged without causing any significant adverse impact to the geo-environment