Artisanal small-scale mining has been a long-standing practice in Ghana, contributing significantly to the country's gold production. However, this production has come at a high cost to the environment and local communities.

 

The government has made various attempts to formalise and regulate the sector, but these interventions have not been successful. As a research scientist, I have studied Ghana's artisanal small-scale mining sector and have identified two key elements for moving forward: reducing environmental and safety risks and harnessing the sector's potential to reduce poverty in rural economies.

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To gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the sector, my research colleague and I conducted a study in 12 mining communities in Ghana's Prestea-Huni Valley district. We collected data between 2015 and 2022 through interviews with informal miners, secondary data analysis, and examination of relevant laws and policies.

 

Key findings revealed several key points:

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- The informal nature of small-scale mining makes it difficult for the government to regulate the sector effectively.

- Only a small portion of the laws, rules, and policies related to Ghana's mining industry specifically address informal artisanal gold mining.

- The government has employed security agencies to crack down on informal miners, but these interventions have led to arrests and abuses without addressing the underlying issues.

- Military interventions have resulted in the seizure and destruction of mining equipment, as well as the deportation and arrest of foreign nationals involved in the sector.

- Despite these interventions, the number of artisanal small-scale miners continues to increase.

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Based on these findings, we argue that command-and-control strategies are not effective in addressing the challenges of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.

 

Instead, a comprehensive strategy that involves consultation and collaboration with affected communities is necessary. This strategy should address the underlying causes of informal mining, which may include economic, social, institutional, technological, and political factors.

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Prohibiting and criminalizing informal mining is not a viable solution. Instead, new strategies should focus on minimizing the negative impacts of mining while maximizing the positive ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This can be achieved through thorough environmental impact assessments, self-regulation by miners' associations, education and training on sustainable mining practices, and local government programs to promote responsible mining methods.

 

By addressing the root causes and involving all stakeholders, Ghana can begin to unlock the potential of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector for the benefit of mining communities and the country as a whole.