A comparison of licensed and un-licensed artisanal and small-scale gold miners (ASGM)

Background: Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) represents one of the most hazardous work environments. While formalization of this sector has been suggested (e.g., Minamata Convention) as a means to improve working conditions, we are unaware of empirical evidence that supports this notion. This study aimed to compare sociodemographic profiles, work profiles, and injury rates among miners working in licensed versus un-licensed ASGM sites. Methods: In the Tarkwa mining region of Ghana, 404 small-scale miners were recruited in 2014 and interviewed regarding their occupational injury experiences over the preceding 10 years. Workers were drawn from 9 mining sites, of which 5 were licensed and 4 were not licensed. Results: Sociodemographic characteristics of miners from the two groups were relatively similar. Those currently working in an un-licensed mine have spent more time in the ASGM sector than those currently working in a licensed mine (94 vs. 70 months). Miners working in an un-licensed site tended to experience more injury episodes (e.g., 26% vs. 8% had 3 or more injury events) and not use personal protective equipment during the time of an injury (92% indicated to not using vs. 73%) when compared to miners working in a licensed site. A total of 121 injury episodes were recorded for 2245 person years of ASGM work. The injury rate for those working in un-licensed mines was 5.9 per 100 person years (59 injuries in 995 person years) versus 5.0 (62 injuries in 1250 person-years) in the licensed mines. When focusing on the male miners, there was a significant difference in injury rates between those working in a licensed mine (4.2 per 100 person years) versus an un-licensed mine (6.1 per 100 person years). Conclusions: These findings advance our understanding of injuries amongst ASGM workers, and help identify important differences in socio-demographics, work profiles, and injury rates between miners working in a licensed versus and un-licensed site. The findings suggest that certain working conditions in a licensed site may be safer.

Injury Profiles Associated with Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Tarkwa, Ghana

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is inherently risky, but little is known about mining-associated hazards and injuries despite the tremendous growth worldwide of ASGM and the benefits it offers. The current study aimed to characterize the physical injuries associated with ASGM in Ghana to guide policy formulation. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in the Tarkwa mining district of the Western Region of Ghana in 2014. A total of 404 small-scale miners were recruited and interviewed regarding their occupational injury experiences over the preceding 10 years using a paper-based structured questionnaire. Nearly one-quarter (23.5%) of the miners interviewed reported getting injured over the previous 10 years, and the overall injury rate was calculated to be 5.39 per 100 person years. The rate was significantly higher for women (11.93 per 100 person years) and those with little mining experience (e.g., 25.31 per 100 person years for those with less than one year of work experience). The most injury-prone mining activities were excavation (58.7%) and crushing (23.1%), and over 70% of the injuries were reported to be due to miners being hit by an object. The majority of the injuries (57%) were lacerations, and nearly 70% of the injuries were to the upper or lower limbs. Approximately one-third (34.7%) of the injuries resulted in miners missing more than two weeks of work. One-quarter of the injured workers believed that abnormal work pressure played a role in their injuries, and nearly two-fifths believed that their injuries could have been prevented, with many citing personal protective equipment as a solution. About one-quarter of the employees reported that their employers never seemed to be interested in the welfare or safety of their employees. These findings greatly advance our understanding of occupational hazards and injuries amongst ASGM workers and help identify several intervention points.

Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana—Part 1: Human Health Review

This report is one of three synthesis documents produced via an integrated assessment (IA) that aims to increase understanding of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Ghana. Given the complexities surrounding ASGM, an IA framework was utilized to analyze economic, social, health, and environmental data, and co-develop evidence-based responses with pertinent stakeholders. The current analysis focuses on the health of ASGM miners and community members, and synthesizes extant data from the literature as well as co-authors’ recent findings regarding the causes, status, trends, and consequences of ASGM in Ghana. The results provide evidence from across multiple Ghanaian ASGM sites that document relatively high exposures to mercury and other heavy metals, occupational injuries and noise exposure. The work also reviews limited data on psychosocial health, nutrition, cardiovascular and respiratory health, sexual health, and water and sanitation. Taken together, the findings provide a thorough overview of human health issues in Ghanaian ASGM communities. Though more research is needed to further elucidate the relationships between ASGM and health outcomes, the existing research on plausible health consequences of ASGM should guide policies and actions to better address the unique challenges of ASGM in Ghana and potentially elsewhere.

EFFECT OF GALAMSEY ACTIVITIES ON WATER BODIES AND LIVELIHOODS

Problems associated with mineral exploration especially illegal mining or Galamsey include;soil degradation,removal of vegetation cover,pollution by chemical compounds,destruction of food crops,depletion of forest reserves and,destruction of water bodies. EFFECT OF GALAMSEY ACTIVITIES ON WATER BODIES  Climate Change and Human activities pose serious threat to our Water Resources Galamsey activities cause the single most serious threat to our water bodies and the environment.  Galamsey activities result in high turbidity levels and subsequently the cost of water treatment by GWCL.  Galamsey activities affect Livelihoods: Education, Health, Natural Resources, Human lives and the Moral Fiber of the Society.  The current fight against galamsey has brought about improvement in the water quality in our river bodies. Click to read more..

Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2015 (Act 900)

The object of the law is to amend the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).The amendments are two-fold, first to enable the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to make regulations to prescribe a rate for royalty payments and the second is to provide for the confiscation of equipment used in illegal small scale mining. With regard to the payment of royalties, the law amends section 25 of Act 703 to remove the fixed rate of five per cent in respect of royalty payment and provides that the payment has to be made to the Republic at the rate, and in a manner as prescribed. The payment of royalty is in respect of minerals obtained from mining operations. Just like Act 703, the law criminalizes illegal small scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, but unlike the old law, it criminalizes mining by foreigners and Ghanaian without a permit.

Minerals and Mining Act , 2006 Act 703

AN ACT to revise and consolidate the law relating to minerals and mining and to provide for connected purposes.