Effects of Illegal Mining on the Environment, Economy, and Agricultural Productivity

Peter Suglo; Paul Effah; Alfred Amponsah Acheampong; Raymond Sunkari; Anthony Yeboah

doi:doi:10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11

| Peer-Reviewed

Effects of Illegal Mining on the Environment, Economy, and Agricultural Productivity

Peter Suglo, Paul Effah, Alfred Amponsah Acheampong, Raymond Sunkari, Anthony Yeboah

Published in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Volume 6, Issue 4)

Received: 27 July 2021 Accepted: 10 August 2021 Published: 16 October 2021

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

The mining of minerals has contributed enormously to most African countries' economies. However, the activities involved in these sectors have turned to hunt our environment and human life due to the lack of regulation in this sector. This paper is a review of the effects of illegal mining on the environment, the economy and agricultural productivity in Ghana. The review employed key word findings at the initial stage to obtain relevant articles; peer-reviewed and non-reviewed articles, both published and non-published and other articles from reputable media sources. The findings from the study revealed that in Ghana, just like most African countries, artisanal and small-scale mining has contributed positively to the economy through job creation, increased mineral output, specifically gold, and concurrently increased the GDP of the country. Nonetheless, the downsides of unregistered and unregulated small-scale mining activities overshadow the benefits derived from it. Notable negativities associated with artisanal and small scale mining include: loss of mineral revenue through smuggling, food insecurity, destruction to surface and underground water through toxic contamination and pollution caused by mud and sediments, air and noise pollution and destruction of biodiversity, including the natural flora and fauna and water species. Death, injuries, respiratory and skin diseases, noise-induced hearing loss, physical and psychological stress, malaria, and HIV are among the common legacies of illegal mining. Among other recommendations, the study suggests that perpetrators found in illegal mining activities should be duly dealt with according to law. Also, small-scale mining concessions duly registered and regulated should be demarcated to avoid encroachment into forest reserves, farmlands, and river courses.

Published in	Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Volume 6, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11
Page(s)	79-91
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Ghana, Illegal Mining, Galamsey, Agriculture, Economic Cost, Environmental Impact, Health

References

[1]	Ostergren, R. C., & Le Bosse, M. (2011). The Europeans: a geography of people, culture, and environment. New York: The Guilford Press.
[2]	Martinez A. J. (2002). The Environmentalism of the Poor: A Study of Ecological Conflicts and Valuation. Edward Elgar Publishing.
[3]	Kervankıran, I., Dziwornu, G. & Temurçin, K. (2016). Illegal Mining as Threat to Sustainable Development in Ghana: A Political Ecology Approach. Vol. 8 No. 3 (2016) 173-191.
[4]	Akabzaa, T., and A. Darimani, (2001). Impact of Mining Sector Investment in Ghana: A Study of the Tarkwa Mining Region. Unpublished Report, Washington SAPRI.
[5]	Drechsler, B. (2001). Small-Scale Mining and Sustainable Development within the SADC Region. MMSD. London.
[6]	Aryee, B. N. A. (2012). Contribution of the Minerals and Mining Sector to National Development: Ghana's Experiment. GREAT Insights, 1 (5), 14-15.
[7]	Hilson, G., & Potter, C. (2005). Structural Adjustment and Subsistence Industry: Artisanal Gold Mining in Ghana. Development and Change, 36 (1), 103-131.
[8]	Tsikata, F. (1997). The vicissitudes of mineral policy in Ghana. Resour. Policy, 23 (1-2), 9-14.
[9]	Hilson, G. (2009). Small-scale mining, poverty and economic development in sub-Saharan Africa: An overview. Journal of Cleaner Production, 34 (1-2), 1-5.
[10]	Roe, A., & Samuel, J. (2007). The challenge of mineral wealth: using resource endowments to foster sustainable development. Ghana Country Case Study. International Council on Mining and Metals.
[11]	Ghana Chamber of Mines (2011). Performance of the Mining Industry in 2011.
[12]	Trading Economics (2020). Ghana GDP from Mining. Available online at: https://tradingeconomics.com/ghana/gdp-from-mining
[13]	Statista (2019). African Gold Mine Production by Country 2019. Available online at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1051488/african-gold-mine-production-by-country/
[14]	Fatima, M. A. (2019). Overview of the Mineral Potential of Sudan & Investment opportunities. The Republic of the Sudan. Ministry of Petroleum & Minerals. Geological Research Authority of Sudan (GRAS).
[15]	Human Rights Watch (2015). Precious Metal, Cheap Labor: Child Labor and Corporate Responsibility in Ghana's Artisanal Gold Mines. Human Rights Watch, United States of America.
[16]	Hilson, G., Hilson, A., & Adu-Darko, E. (2014). Chinese participation in Ghana's informal gold mining economy: drivers, implications and clarifications. J. Rural Stud., 34, 292–303.
[17]	Hirons, M. (2015). Trees for developement? Articulating the ambiguities of power, authority and legitimacy in governing Ghana's mineral rich forests. The Extractive Industries and Society, 2, 491–499.
[18]	Guimaraẽs, J. R. D., Betancourt, O., Miranda, M. R., Barriga, R., Cueva, E., & Betancourt, S. (2011). Long-range effect of cyanide on mercury methylation in a gold mining area in southern Ecuador. Sci. Total Environ, 409, 5026–5033.
[19]	Buxton, A. (2013). Responding to the challenge of artisanal and small-scale mining. How can knowledge networks help? IIED. London.
[20]	Fatawu N. A., & Allan, A. (2014). Managing the impacts of mining on Ghana's water resources from a legal perspective. The Journal of Energy and Natural Resource Management, 1 (3), 156-165.
[21]	Bugnosen, E. (2003). Small-Scale Mining Legislation: A General Review and an Attempt to Apply Lessons Learned in The Socio-Economic Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Developing Countries (Hilson, G. (ed.), Lisse: Abingdon, A. A. Balkema, 5-21.
[22]	Law Insider Inc. (2020). Definition of Illegal Mining. Available online at: https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/illegal-mining.
[23]	Hansen, C. P., Lund, J. F., & Treue, T. (2009). Neither Fast, Nor Easy: The Prospect of Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) in Ghana. International Forestry Review, 11 (4), 439e455. http://dx.doi.org/10.1505/ifor.11.4.439.
[24]	Mining Review Africa (2019). Dealing with the South African Surge in illegal Mining. Available online at: https://www.miningreview.com/gold/dealing-with-the-south-african-surge-in-illegal-mining/. Last Accessed [15/06/2020].
[25]	Safe Drinking Water Foundation (n.d). Saskatoon, Canada: Safe drinking water foundation; date unknown. Available from: www.safewater.org
[26]	Mining reform and the world bank: providing a policy framework for development. Washington, D.C.: International Finance Corporation; c2003. P. 36. Available at: http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/511531468782172927/pdf/313750mining0reform0and0the0wb.pdf
[27]	Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) (2017). Effects of Illegal Mining: Commentary on the effects of illegal mining on the environment and economy. Available at: https://www.gbcghana.com/1.5988261
[28]	Aboka, E. Y., Cobbina, S. J. and Doke, A. D. (2018). Review of Environmental and Health Impacts of Mining in Ghana. Journal of health & pollution, 8 (17), 43–52. https://doi.org/10.5696/2156-9614-8.17.43
[29]	Asklund R, and Eldvall B. (2005). Contamination of water resources in Tarkwa Mining Area of Ghana [masters thesis]. [Lund, Sweden]: Lund University, 2005. 62 p.
[30]	Yeboah, J. Y. (2008). Environmental and health impact of mining on surrounding communities: a case study of Anglogold Ashanti in Obuasi [masters thesis]. Kumasi, Ghana: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology; 2008. August 155 p.
[31]	Duncan A. E. (2020). The Dangerous Couple: Illegal Mining and Water Pollution—A Case Study in Fena River in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Journal of Chemistry. 2020, 9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/2378560
[32]	Afum, B. P. and Owusu, C. K. (2016). Heavy Metal Pollution in the Birim River of Ghana. International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis. 4 (3): 65-74.
[33]	Kusi-Ampofo, S. and Boachie-Yiadom, T. (2012). Assessing the social and environmental impacts of illegal mining operations in River Bonsa [Internet]. Tarkwa, Ghana: Pure Fm; 2012. 40 p. Available from: http://fonghana.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ASSESSING-THE-SOCIAL-ANDENVIRONMENTAL-IMPACTS-OF-ILLEGALMINING-OPERATIONS-IN-RIVER-BONSA.pdf
[34]	Cobbina, S. J., Myilla, M. and Michael, K. (2013). Small scale gold mining and heavy metal pollution: assessment of drinking water sources in Datuku in the Talensi-Nabdam District. Int J Sci Technol Res [Internet]. 2013. P. 2 1: 96– 100. Available from: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.300.3085&rep=rep1&type=pdf
[35]	Amankwah, E. (2013). Impact of Illegal Mining on Water Resources for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes. ARPN Journal of Earth Sciences. Vol. 2, No. 3, September 2013.
[36]	Modernghana news. 2011. Kyebi Water Plant Shut Down as a Result of Evil Effects of Galamsey. Available at: http://www.modernghana.com/news/343119/1/kyebiwater-plant-shut-down-as-a-result-of-evil-ef.html
[37]	Greentumble, (2017). The dangerous effects of illegal mining. Environmental issues, April 4, 2017. Available at: https://greentumble.com/the-dangerous-effects-of-illegal-mining/
[38]	Daily Guide Ghana (2011). The galamsey threat [Internet]. Available from: https://www.modernghana.com/news/363250/the-galamsey-threat.html
[39]	Mensah, P. (2018). Uncontrolled and Illegal (Galamsey) Mining Activities in Africa: An Increasing Threat to Water and Food Security. Africa Up Close, Wilson Center. Available online at: https://africaupclose.wilsoncenter.org/uncontrolled-and-illegal-galamsey-mining-activities-in-africa-an-increasing-threat-to-water-and-food-security/#_ftn2
[40]	Cannell, M. (1996). Forests as carbon sinks mitigating the greenhouse effect. The Commonwealth Forestry Review, 75 (1), 92-99. Retrieved May 16, 2020, from www.jstor.org/stable/42607280
[41]	Opoku-Ware J. (2010). The social and environmental impacts of mining activities on indigenous communities: the case of Newmont Gold (Gh) Limited (Kenyasi) in Ghana [master's thesis]. [Kristiansand, Norway]: University of Agder; 139p. Google Scholar.
[42]	Merem, E. C., Twumasi, Y., Wesley, J., Isokpehi, P., Shenge, M., Fageir, S., Crisler, M., Romorno, C., Hines, A., Hirse, G., Ochai, S., Leggett, S., and Nwagboso, E. (2017). Assessing the Ecological Effects of Mining in West Africa: The Case of Nigeria, International Journal of Mining Engineering and Mineral Processing, Vol. 6 No. 1, 2017, pp. 1-19. doi: 10.5923/j.mining.20170601.01.
[43]	Amedofu, G. K, (2002). Hearing-impairment among workers in a surface gold mining company in Ghana. Afr J Health Sci. 2002 Jan-Jun; 9 (1-2): 91-7.
[44]	Saunders, J. E., Jastrzembski, B. G., Buckey, J. C., Enriquez, D., MacKenzie, T. A., Karagas, M. R. and Audiol, N. (2013). Hearing loss and heavy metal toxicity in a Nicaraguan mining community: audiological results and case reports. 2013; 18 (2): 101-13.
[45]	Basu, N., Clarke, E., Green, A., et al. (2015). Integrated assessment of artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Ghana—Part 1: Human health review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12 (5), 5143–5176. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120505143
[46]	Obuasi municipal assembly medium term development plan (OMAMTDP): a draft report. Forthcoming 2006.
[47]	Adjei, S., Oladejo, N. K., Adetunde, I. A. (2012). The impact and effect of illegal mining (galamsey) towards the socio-economic development of mining communities: a case study of Kenyasi in the Brong Ahafo Region. Int J Mod Soc Sci [Internet]. 2012. 1 1: 38– 55. Availablefrom: http://modernscientificpress.com/Journals/ViewArticle.aspx?YTDXIp8pwb35qABc+2BV/2sxro7nTbAPwEKec1E3+qjxSterX62iOlFJYQs0xAkr
[48]	Ahern, M., Stephens, C. (2001). Worker and community health impacts related to mining operations internationally: a rapid review of the literature [Internet]. London: International Institute for Environment and Development; 2001. 59 p. Available from: http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/G01051.pdf
[49]	Todd, F. (2019). The Plight of the Zama Zamas: A Perilous Hunt for Gold in South Africa's Abandoned Mining Network. NS Energy, September 18, 2019. Available online at: https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/features/zama-zama-gold-south-africa/. Last Accessed [15/06/2020].
[50]	Amponsah-Tawiah, K. and Dartey-Baah, K. (2011). Corporate social responsibility in Ghana. Int J Bus Soc Sci [Internet]. 2011. 2 17: 107– 12. Available from: http://ijbssnet.com/journals/Vol_2_No_17/15.pdf
[51]	Plecher, H. (2020). Statista Ghana: Distribution of Employment by Economic Sector from 2009 to 2019. Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/447530/employment-by-economic-sector-in-ghana/
[52]	Statista, 2020a. Ghana: Share of economic sectors in the gross domestic product (GDP) from 2008 to 2018. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/447524/share-of-economic-sectors-in-the-gdp-in-ghana/
[53]	Ibrahim, M. S. (2015). Artisanal Mining in Sudan – Opportunities, Challenges and Impacts. UNCTAD 17^th Africa OIL GASMINE, Khartoum, 23-26 November 2015. Extractive Industries and Sustainable Job Creation.
[54]	Standing, A., and Hilson G. (2013). Distributing mining wealth to communities in Ghana: addressing problems of elite capture and political corruption [Internet]. Bergen, Norway: Anti-Corruption Resource Centre; 2013. 34 p. Available from: https://www.cmi.no/publications/file/4791-distributing-mining-wealth-to-communities-in-ghana.pdf
[55]	Awudi, G. B. The role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the mining sector of Ghana and the environment [Internet]. Conference on Foreign Direct Investment and the Environment; 2002 Feb 7–8; Paris. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. 10p. Available from: http://www.oecd.org/countries/ghana/1819492.pdf
[56]	Ayensu-Ntim, A, Doso, S. Jr., and Twumasi-Ankrah, B. (2015). Effects of loss of agricultural land due to large-scale gold mining on agriculture in Ghana: the case of the Western Region. Br J Res [Internet]. 2015. 2 6: 196– 221. Available from: http://www.imedpub.com/articles/effects-of-loss-of-agricultural-land-due-to-largescale-gold-mining-on-agriculture-in-ghana-the-case-of-the-western-region.pdf
[57]	Duncan, E. E, Kuma, J. S. Y., and Primpong, S. (2009). Open pit mining and land use changes: an example from Bogosu-Prestea Area, South West Ghana. Elect J Inf Syst Dev Ctries [Internet]. 2009. 36 3: 1– 10. Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/j.1681-4835.2009.tb00250.x/abstract Subscription required to view.
[58]	Amoah-Frimpong, P. (2013). Effects of Illegal Gold Mining on Food Availability for Smallholder Farmers. A Case Study of Saa Community in Wassa Amanfi West District, Western Region of Ghana. Research project, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
[59]	Owusu, P. A., Asumadu-Sarkodie, S. & Ameyo, P. \| Dubey, S. (Reviewing Editor) (2016). A review of Ghana's water resource management and the future prospect, Cogent Engineering, 3:1, DOI: 10.1080/23311916.2016.1164275.
[60]	Nukpezah, D., Abdul Rahman, F. and Koranteng, S. S. (2017). The Impact of Small Scale Mining on Irrigation Water Quality in Asante Akim Central Municipality of Ghana. West African Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 25 (2), 2017: 49–67.
[61]	World Health Organization (WHO) (2017). Mercury and health. March 31, 2017. Available online at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mercury-and-health
[62]	Yaro, J. I. (2010). Impact of mining on livelihoods of local communities: A case study of newmont Ahafo south mining project of brong Ahafo region of Ghana. International Institute of social studies, Netherlands. Retrieved June 10, 2016 from https://thesis.eur.nl/pub/8643/RP_final.docx.
[63]	Bagyina, O. A. (2012). Assessment of the impact of Mining on land use system and livelihood in the Obuasi Municipality. Master of Science Thesis. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
[64]	Boadi, S., Nsor, C. A., Osei, O. A. & Acquah, E. (2016). An analysis of illegal mining on the Offin shelterbelt forest reserve, Ghana: Implications on community livelihood. Journal of Sustainable Mining. 15. 10.1016/j.jsm.2016.12.001.
[65]	Nwokolo, M-N. (2019). Ghana's Battle with Illegal Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining. The London School of Economics and Political Science, online blog publication. July 10, 2019. Available online at: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/africaatlse/2019/07/15/ghana-illegal-asm-artisanal-mining/
[66]	Mining Technology (2017). The Benefits of legalising Artisanal Mining in South Africa. Available online at: https://www.mining-technology.com/features/benefits-legalising-artisanal-mining-south-africa/. Last accessed [15/06/2020].
[67]	Keita, S. (2001). Study on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Mali. International institute for Environment and Development. Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development, No. 80.
[68]	Mantey, J., Owusu-Nimo, F. and Nyarko, K. B. (2016). Costed Reclamation and Decommissioning Strategy for Galamsey Operations in 11 Selected MDAs of the Western Region, Ghana. International Growth Center Final (IGC) report. Ref. No. S-33205-GHA-1.
[69]	Tschakert, P. (2009). Digging deep for justice: A radical Re-Imagination of the artisanal gold mining sector in Ghana. Antipode, 41 (4), 706e740.
[70]	Dupuy, L. and van Dijken, K. (2019). Investigating DR Congo's illegal Gold Trade. DW.com. Available online at: https://www.dw.com/en/investigating-dr-congos-illegal-gold-trade/a-46997332. Last accessed [15/06/2020].
[71]	Moseley, W. G. (2014). Artisanal Gold Mining's Curse on West African Farming. Aljazeera.com. Available online at: https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/07/artisanal-gold-mining-west-afric-20147372739374988.html. Last accessed [15/06/2020].
[72]	Appiah, M., Blay, D., Damnyag, L., Dwomoh, F. K., Pappinen, A., & Luukkanen, O. (2009). Dependence on forest resources and tropical deforestation in Ghana. Environment. Development and Sustainability, 11 (3), 471e487. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1007/s10668-007-9125-0.
[73]	Danyo, G. and Osei-Bonsu, A. (2016). Illegal Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana: A Threat to Food Security. Journal of Food Security 4 (5), 112-119. Doi: 10.12691/jfs-4-5-2.
[74]	Aborah, E. O. Effects of Small-Scale Mining on Food Production in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region (masters thesis). Kumasi, Ghana: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology; 2016.
[75]	Eshun, A. F. (2017). "Galamsey: An Enemy of Ghana's Arable Lands and Water Bodies," Modern Ghana, April 3, 2017. Available online at: https://www.modernghana.com/news/766142/galamsey-an-enemy-of-ghanas-arable-lands-and-water-bodies.html.
[76]	Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI) (2020). Special Report: The Cost of Galamsey. Available online at: http://www.gheiti.gov.gh/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=187:special-report-the-cost-of-galamsey&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=29
[77]	GhanaWeb.com (2017). Galamsey: Government to Spend GH₵60,000 to Reclaim One Hectare of Degraded Land. General News of Monday, November 13, 2017. Available online at: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Galamsey-Government-to-spend-GHC60-000-to-reclaim-one-hectare-of-degraded-land-599883
[78]	Stewart, A. G. (2019). Mining is Bad for Health: a voyage of discovery. Environ Geochem Health 42, 1153-1165 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-019-00367-7
[79]	CSIR. (2013). Characterising the risk of human exposure and health impacts from acid mine drainage in South Africa; Deliverable for Output VII—Final project report. Pretoria, South Africa: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Natural Resources and the Environment. http://www.mhsc.org.za/sites/default/files/SIM110901%20Report.pdf.
[80]	Rajaee, M., Obiri, S., & Green, A. (2015). Integrated assessment of artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Ghana—Part 2: Natural sciences review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12 (8), 8971–9011. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120808971.
[81]	Liao, J., Wen, Z., Ru, X., Chen, J., Wu, H., & Wei, C. (2016). Distribution and migration of heavy metals in soil and crops affected by acid mine drainage: Public health implications in Guangdong Province, China. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 124, 460–469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.11.023.
[82]	Minerals Council South Africa (2020). Mining in SA. Available online at: https://www.mineralscouncil.org.za/sa-mining. Last accessed [15/06/2020].
[83]	Csavina, J., Landázuri, A., Wonaschütz, A., et al. (2012b). Metal and metalloid contaminants in atmospheric aerosols from mining operations. Water, Air, and Soil pollution, 221 (1–4), 145–177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-011-0777-x.
[84]	Meyer, C., Diaz-de-Quijanoa, M., Monna, F., et al. (2015). Characterisation and distribution of deposited trace elements transported over long and intermediate distances in north-eastern France using Sphagnum peatlands as a sentinel ecosystem. Atmospheric Environment, 101, 286–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2014.11.041
[85]	Barbieri, E., Fontúrbel, F. E., Herbas, C., Barbieri, F. L., & Gardon, J. (2014). Indoor metallic pollution and children exposure in a mining city. Science of the Total Environment, 487, 13–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.03.136.
[86]	Zota, A. R., Riederer, A. M., Ettinger, A. S., et al. (2016). Associations between metals in residential environmental media and exposure biomarkers over time in infants living near a mining-impacted site. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 26, 510–519. https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2015.76.Associations.
[87]	Mokhtari, A. R., Feiznia, S., Jafari, M., et al. (2018). Investigating the role of wind in the dispersion of heavy metals around mines in arid regions (a case study from Kushk Pb–Zn Mine, Bafgh, Iran). Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 101, 124. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-018-2319-3.
[88]	Demetriades, A. (2011). The Lavrion urban geochemistry study. In C. C. Johnson, A. Demetriades, J. Locutura, & R. T. Ottesen (Eds.), Mapping the chemical environment of urban areas (pp. 424–456). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470670071.ch25.
[89]	Lewis, J., Hoover, J., & MacKenzie, D. (2017). Mining and environmental health disparities in Native American communities. Current Environmental Health Reports, 4, 130–141. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-017-0140-5.
[90]	Dooyema, C. A., Neri, A., Lo, Y.-C., et al. (2012). Outbreak of fatal childhood lead poisoning related to artisanal gold mining in Northwestern Nigeria. Environmental Health Perspectives. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1103965.
[91]	Tirima, S., Bartrem, C., von Lindern, I., et al. (2018). Food contamination as a pathway for lead exposure in children during the 2010–2013 lead poisoning epidemic in Zamfara, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 67, 26–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2017.09.007.
[92]	Duker, A. A., Stein, A., Hale, M. (2005). A statistical model for spatial patterns of Buruli ulcer in the Amansie West district, Ghana. Int J Appl Earth Obs Geoinform [Internet]. 2006. June; 8 2: 126– 36. Available from: 10.1016/j.jag.2005.06.013.
[93]	Benbow, M. E., Merritt, R. W., Small, P. L. (2005). Unraveling an emerging disease associated with disturbed aquatic environments: the case of Buruli ulcer. Front Ecol Environ [Internet]. 2005. August; 3 6: 323– 31. Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1890/1540-9295(2005)003%5B0323:UAEDAW%5D2.0.CO%3B2/abstract
[94]	Raghunathan, P. L., Whitney, E. A., Asamoa, K., Stienstra, Y., Taylor, T. H. Jr., Amofah, G. K., Ofori-Adjei, D., Dobos, K., Guarner, J., Martin, S., Pathak, S., Klutse, E., Etuaful, S., van der Graaf, W. T., van der Werf, T. S., King, C. H., Tappero, J. W., Ashford, D. A. (2005). Risk factors for Buruli ulcer disease (Mycobacterium ulcerans Infection): results from a case-control study in Ghana. Clin Infect Dis [Internet]. 2005. May 15; 40 10: 1445– 53. Available from: 10.1086/429623.
[95]	Osei-Yeboah, Richard & Adedze, Miranda & Bannor, Richard & Opoku, Edwina & Akweongo, Patricia. (2019). HIV prevalence variations in mining communities in Ghana. Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services. 18. 1-17. 10.1080/15381501.2019.1599748.
[96]	Jiménez-Forero, C. P., Zabala, I. I., & Idrovo, A. J. (2015). Work conditions and morbidity among coal miners in Guachetá, Colombia: The miners´ perspective. Biomédica, 35, 77–89. https://doi.org/10.7705/biomedica.v35i0.2439.
[97]	Kyeremateng-Amoah, E., & Clarke, E. E. (2015). Injuries among artisanal and small-scale gold miners in Ghana. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12 (9), 10886–10896. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120910886.
[98]	Calys-Tagoe, B. N. L., Ovadje, L., Clarke, E., Basu, N., & Robins, T. (2015). Injury profiles associated with artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Tarkwa, Ghana. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12 (7), 7922–7937. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120707922.
[99]	Long, R. N., Sun, K., & Neitzel, R. L. (2015). Injury risk factors in a small-scale gold mining community in Ghana's Upper East Region. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12 (8), 8744–8761. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120808744.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Peter Suglo, Paul Effah, Alfred Amponsah Acheampong, Raymond Sunkari, Anthony Yeboah. (2021). Effects of Illegal Mining on the Environment, Economy, and Agricultural Productivity. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 6(4), 79-91. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Peter Suglo; Paul Effah; Alfred Amponsah Acheampong; Raymond Sunkari; Anthony Yeboah. Effects of Illegal Mining on the Environment, Economy, and Agricultural Productivity. Biochem. Mol. Biol. 2021, 6(4), 79-91. doi: 10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Peter Suglo, Paul Effah, Alfred Amponsah Acheampong, Raymond Sunkari, Anthony Yeboah. Effects of Illegal Mining on the Environment, Economy, and Agricultural Productivity. Biochem Mol Biol. 2021;6(4):79-91. doi: 10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11,
  author = {Peter Suglo and Paul Effah and Alfred Amponsah Acheampong and Raymond Sunkari and Anthony Yeboah},
  title = {Effects of Illegal Mining on the Environment, Economy, and Agricultural Productivity},
  journal = {Biochemistry and Molecular Biology},
  volume = {6},
  number = {4},
  pages = {79-91},
  doi = {10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.bmb.20210604.11},
  abstract = {The mining of minerals has contributed enormously to most African countries' economies. However, the activities involved in these sectors have turned to hunt our environment and human life due to the lack of regulation in this sector. This paper is a review of the effects of illegal mining on the environment, the economy and agricultural productivity in Ghana. The review employed key word findings at the initial stage to obtain relevant articles; peer-reviewed and non-reviewed articles, both published and non-published and other articles from reputable media sources. The findings from the study revealed that in Ghana, just like most African countries, artisanal and small-scale mining has contributed positively to the economy through job creation, increased mineral output, specifically gold, and concurrently increased the GDP of the country. Nonetheless, the downsides of unregistered and unregulated small-scale mining activities overshadow the benefits derived from it. Notable negativities associated with artisanal and small scale mining include: loss of mineral revenue through smuggling, food insecurity, destruction to surface and underground water through toxic contamination and pollution caused by mud and sediments, air and noise pollution and destruction of biodiversity, including the natural flora and fauna and water species. Death, injuries, respiratory and skin diseases, noise-induced hearing loss, physical and psychological stress, malaria, and HIV are among the common legacies of illegal mining. Among other recommendations, the study suggests that perpetrators found in illegal mining activities should be duly dealt with according to law. Also, small-scale mining concessions duly registered and regulated should be demarcated to avoid encroachment into forest reserves, farmlands, and river courses.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Effects of Illegal Mining on the Environment, Economy, and Agricultural Productivity
AU  - Peter Suglo
AU  - Paul Effah
AU  - Alfred Amponsah Acheampong
AU  - Raymond Sunkari
AU  - Anthony Yeboah
Y1  - 2021/10/16
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11
T2  - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
JF  - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
JO  - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
SP  - 79
EP  - 91
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5048
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11
AB  - The mining of minerals has contributed enormously to most African countries' economies. However, the activities involved in these sectors have turned to hunt our environment and human life due to the lack of regulation in this sector. This paper is a review of the effects of illegal mining on the environment, the economy and agricultural productivity in Ghana. The review employed key word findings at the initial stage to obtain relevant articles; peer-reviewed and non-reviewed articles, both published and non-published and other articles from reputable media sources. The findings from the study revealed that in Ghana, just like most African countries, artisanal and small-scale mining has contributed positively to the economy through job creation, increased mineral output, specifically gold, and concurrently increased the GDP of the country. Nonetheless, the downsides of unregistered and unregulated small-scale mining activities overshadow the benefits derived from it. Notable negativities associated with artisanal and small scale mining include: loss of mineral revenue through smuggling, food insecurity, destruction to surface and underground water through toxic contamination and pollution caused by mud and sediments, air and noise pollution and destruction of biodiversity, including the natural flora and fauna and water species. Death, injuries, respiratory and skin diseases, noise-induced hearing loss, physical and psychological stress, malaria, and HIV are among the common legacies of illegal mining. Among other recommendations, the study suggests that perpetrators found in illegal mining activities should be duly dealt with according to law. Also, small-scale mining concessions duly registered and regulated should be demarcated to avoid encroachment into forest reserves, farmlands, and river courses.
VL  - 6
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Peter Suglo

Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Paul Effah

Department of Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Extension, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Alfred Amponsah Acheampong

Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Raymond Sunkari

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biosciences, University for Development Studies, Nyankpala Campus, Tamale, Ghana
Anthony Yeboah

College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Peter Suglo, Paul Effah, Alfred Amponsah Acheampong, Raymond Sunkari, Anthony Yeboah. (2021). Effects of Illegal Mining on the Environment, Economy, and Agricultural Productivity. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 6(4), 79-91. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Peter Suglo; Paul Effah; Alfred Amponsah Acheampong; Raymond Sunkari; Anthony Yeboah. Effects of Illegal Mining on the Environment, Economy, and Agricultural Productivity. Biochem. Mol. Biol. 2021, 6(4), 79-91. doi: 10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Peter Suglo, Paul Effah, Alfred Amponsah Acheampong, Raymond Sunkari, Anthony Yeboah. Effects of Illegal Mining on the Environment, Economy, and Agricultural Productivity. Biochem Mol Biol. 2021;6(4):79-91. doi: 10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11,
  author = {Peter Suglo and Paul Effah and Alfred Amponsah Acheampong and Raymond Sunkari and Anthony Yeboah},
  title = {Effects of Illegal Mining on the Environment, Economy, and Agricultural Productivity},
  journal = {Biochemistry and Molecular Biology},
  volume = {6},
  number = {4},
  pages = {79-91},
  doi = {10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.bmb.20210604.11},
  abstract = {The mining of minerals has contributed enormously to most African countries' economies. However, the activities involved in these sectors have turned to hunt our environment and human life due to the lack of regulation in this sector. This paper is a review of the effects of illegal mining on the environment, the economy and agricultural productivity in Ghana. The review employed key word findings at the initial stage to obtain relevant articles; peer-reviewed and non-reviewed articles, both published and non-published and other articles from reputable media sources. The findings from the study revealed that in Ghana, just like most African countries, artisanal and small-scale mining has contributed positively to the economy through job creation, increased mineral output, specifically gold, and concurrently increased the GDP of the country. Nonetheless, the downsides of unregistered and unregulated small-scale mining activities overshadow the benefits derived from it. Notable negativities associated with artisanal and small scale mining include: loss of mineral revenue through smuggling, food insecurity, destruction to surface and underground water through toxic contamination and pollution caused by mud and sediments, air and noise pollution and destruction of biodiversity, including the natural flora and fauna and water species. Death, injuries, respiratory and skin diseases, noise-induced hearing loss, physical and psychological stress, malaria, and HIV are among the common legacies of illegal mining. Among other recommendations, the study suggests that perpetrators found in illegal mining activities should be duly dealt with according to law. Also, small-scale mining concessions duly registered and regulated should be demarcated to avoid encroachment into forest reserves, farmlands, and river courses.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Effects of Illegal Mining on the Environment, Economy, and Agricultural Productivity
AU  - Peter Suglo
AU  - Paul Effah
AU  - Alfred Amponsah Acheampong
AU  - Raymond Sunkari
AU  - Anthony Yeboah
Y1  - 2021/10/16
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11
T2  - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
JF  - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
JO  - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
SP  - 79
EP  - 91
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5048
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20210604.11
AB  - The mining of minerals has contributed enormously to most African countries' economies. However, the activities involved in these sectors have turned to hunt our environment and human life due to the lack of regulation in this sector. This paper is a review of the effects of illegal mining on the environment, the economy and agricultural productivity in Ghana. The review employed key word findings at the initial stage to obtain relevant articles; peer-reviewed and non-reviewed articles, both published and non-published and other articles from reputable media sources. The findings from the study revealed that in Ghana, just like most African countries, artisanal and small-scale mining has contributed positively to the economy through job creation, increased mineral output, specifically gold, and concurrently increased the GDP of the country. Nonetheless, the downsides of unregistered and unregulated small-scale mining activities overshadow the benefits derived from it. Notable negativities associated with artisanal and small scale mining include: loss of mineral revenue through smuggling, food insecurity, destruction to surface and underground water through toxic contamination and pollution caused by mud and sediments, air and noise pollution and destruction of biodiversity, including the natural flora and fauna and water species. Death, injuries, respiratory and skin diseases, noise-induced hearing loss, physical and psychological stress, malaria, and HIV are among the common legacies of illegal mining. Among other recommendations, the study suggests that perpetrators found in illegal mining activities should be duly dealt with according to law. Also, small-scale mining concessions duly registered and regulated should be demarcated to avoid encroachment into forest reserves, farmlands, and river courses.
VL  - 6
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download