scholarly journals Effect of gold mining on total factor productivity of farmers: Evidence from Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 327
Author(s):  
John K. M. KUWORNU ◽  
Yaw B. OSEI-ASARE ◽  
Michael O. ANSAH ◽  
Akwasi MENSAH-BONSU
Keyword(s):  
Total Factor Productivity ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Factor Productivity ◽  
Mining Areas ◽  
Catchment Areas ◽  
Land Disputes ◽  
Cocoa Farmers ◽  
Brong Ahafo Region

Gold mining comes with several benefits to developing countries, manifested mainly in the form of employment and revenue, but simultaneously impacts negatively on the immediate environment. It affects the economic structure including agriculture and its productivity. Hence, this study investigated the effect of gold mining on total factor productivity of farmers in Ghana using 110 cocoa farmers from Asutifi North and Asutifi South districts of the Brong Ahafo Region, categorised into mining and non-mining areas respectively. About 83 % of the farmers in the mining areas were affected by gold mining through channels such as land disputes, relocation of farm/residence, high cost of labour, illegal small-scale mining and dust settlement on crops. Also, about 64 % of cocoa farmers in the mining areas lost their farm lands (between 0.4 and 3.64 ha as a result of gold mining. The Tornqvist Total Factor Productivity (TFP) indices for cocoa farmers in the non-mining areas (mean TFP of 1.404) were also statistically higher than those in the mining areas (mean TFP of 0.371). The study concluded that gold mining activities adversely affect productivity of farmers in the catchment areas. The study recommends, among others, that a policy of land-for-land should be in place and effectively implemented to ensure that mining companies in order to enhance and ensure continuity of livelihoods must fully replace lands lost through mining activities.

Managing the impacts of mining on Ghana’s water resources from a legal perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 156-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasirudeen Abdul Fatawu
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Environmental Laws ◽  
Mining Areas ◽  
Legal Perspective

Recent floods in Ghana are largely blamed on mining activities. Not only are lives lost through these floods, farms andproperties are destroyed as a result. Water resources are diverted, polluted and impounded upon by both large-scale minersand small-scale miners. Although these activities are largely blamed on behavioural attitudes that need to be changed, thereare legal dimensions that should be addressed as well. Coincidentally, a great proportion of the water resources of Ghana arewithin these mining areas thus the continual pollution of these surface water sources is a serious threat to the environmentand the development of the country as a whole. The environmental laws need to be oriented properly with adequate sanctionsto tackle the impacts mining has on water resources. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure needs to bestreamlined and undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and not the company itself.

scholarly journals The outbreak of illegal gold mining in the Brazilian Amazon boosts deforestation

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Siqueira-Gay ◽  
Luis E. Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Gold Mining ◽  
Brazilian Amazon ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Political Pressure ◽  
Deforestation Rate ◽  
Mining Areas ◽  
Mineral Supply ◽  
Regional Policies ◽  
Illegal Mining ◽  
Conservation Of Biodiversity

AbstractIncreased prices and political pressure are boosting illegal gold mining in the Brazilian Amazon, threatening forests, indigenous people, and conservation of biodiversity in protected areas. The rate of illegal mining deforestation increased more than 90% from 2017 to 2020, reaching 101.7 km2 annually in 2020 compared to 52.9 km2 annually in 2017. In that period, illegal mining deforestation rate grew more than the rate of clearing within mining leases. While formal mining is required to comply with environmental regulations, most small-scale or artisanal mining and especially illegal mining areas are abandoned after reserves are exhausted, without proper rehabilitation. Deforestation due to illegal mining is likely to increase in the next years, calling for coordination between local and regional policies as well as for strengthening and expanding international mechanisms to increase traceability of mineral supply chains with certification schemes to help to curb illegal mining.

scholarly journals Heavy Metals in the Soils of Placer Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in Myanmar

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (27) ◽  
pp. 200911
Author(s):  
Aung Zaw Tun ◽  
Pokkate Wongsasuluk ◽  
Wattasit Siriwong
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Heavy Metal Concentrations

Background. Artisanal and small-scale mining activities are widely practiced globally. Concentrations of heavy metals associated with gold, such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) can increase in the environment as a result of mining activities, leading to environmental pollution and pose toxicity risks to humans and animals. Objectives. The aim of the present study was to investigate soil concentrations of toxic heavy metals in placer small-scale gold mining operations in Myanmar. Methods. Soil samples were collected from three placer small-scale gold mining sites: Site A located in the Hmawbon public protected forest, Site B and Site C, situated in the Nant-Kyin reserved forest around Nar Nant Htun village. At each site, soil samples were collected from four gold mining stages (ore processing, sluicing, panning, and amalgamation). Atomic absorption spectroscopy was utilized to examine the concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg. Results. The highest heavy metal concentrations were generally found in the amalgamation stages across all the gold mining sites. Across the three mining sites, the maximum heavy metal concentrations in the amalgamation stage were 22.170 mg.kg−1 for As, 3.070 mg.kg−1 for Cd, 77.440 mg.kg−1 for Hg, and 210.000 mg.kg−1 for Pb. Conclusions. The present study examined the concentrations of As, Cd, Hg and Pb in the soil of several small-scale gold mining sites in Banmauk Township, Myanmar. The results demonstrated the presence of high concentrations of heavy metals in the soil of the gold mining sites. Miners in this area work without proper personal protective equipment, and frequent exposure to heavy metals in the soil may cause adverse health effects. The present study provides baseline data for future risk assessment studies of heavy metal contamination in gold mines. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests

scholarly journals Mining the Cocoa Farm in Osino Community, Ghana

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Isaac Kwabena Bamfo Ntiamoah
Keyword(s):  
Image Data ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Ripple Effect ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Illegal Mining ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Cocoa Farmers

This paper throws its weight to other writings on mining and livelihood. It assessed illegal small scale mining activities and how it affect cocoa farmers’ livelihood with specific reference to a community in Ghana. A qualitative approach was adopted. The research design was a case study and largely descriptive. Primary data was culled from 35 respondents including affected cocoa farmers, miners and some key stakeholders. It was supported with reports, books and online publications. A purposive sampling technique was used to identify respondents and focus group discussions were held. Key informant interviews and observations were also used for data collection. Afterwards, a content analysis was done on the text and image data generated. Results were presented and discussed under appropriate themes. Results from the findings showed that cocoa farming was the main source of income for people in the community but unfortunately their farms were destroyed and this had had a ripple effect on their livelihood. Again, farmlands were not seized for illegal mining activities; rather it was bought and paid for under compelling circumstances. It was concluded that, both commodities contribute to the nation’s development; hence one should not be substituted for the other, rather, small scale mining should be done in a legal and properly planned manner so not to affect cocoa farmers’ livelihood negatively.

scholarly journals Risk of Mercury Exposure from Fish Consumption at Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining Areas in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (21) ◽  
pp. 190302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Junaidi ◽  
Baiq Dewi Krisnayanti ◽  
Christopher Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Fish Consumption ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Mercury Exposure ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Areas

scholarly journals Review Of The Small Scale Gold Mining Practices At Cineam, Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java, Indonesia

1970 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-11
Author(s):  
Hutamadi Hutamadi ◽  
Bambang Nugroho Widi ◽  
Sabtanto Joko Suprapto
Keyword(s):  
Gold Deposit ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Mining Operation ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Gold Content ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
West Java ◽  
Gold Miners

Gold deposit at Cineam area is an epithermal gold deposit of low sulphidation type which lies about 180 km southeast of Bandung at an elevation of 400 meter above the mean sea level. The Cineam deposit is administratively belongs to Cineam Subdistrict , Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java Province, which dominantly occurred within volcanic rocks unit of Jampang Formation. Alterations developed in this area namely propylite, argillic, sericitation, and silisification, occurred in andesitic lava, volcanic breccia, and andesitic to dacitic tuff. The thickness of gold bearing quartz veins are commonly from few cm up to > 20 cm, while for the veins of higher grade of gold content the thickness are about 5 cm or less. The average grade of gold content is around 6 - 10 gr/t Au. Although Cineam gold deposits can not be classified as a big scale deposit, itsmineral genesis has an interesting characteristic to be further studied. The Cineam area representing one of the most prospect areas of gold found in the eastern part of West Java Southern Mountain Range. As the Cineam gold deposit is proportionally suitable for a small scale gold mine, the local government had already gave a mining license to a Family Firm in the form of a Village Unit Cooperation or “KUD” such as KUD Mekarjaya which had also been updated to become a B class of Exploitation License category that permitted for the realization of metallic exploitation. This action was in line with the implementation of Autonomy Policy since the year of 2001.Although KUD Mekarjaya’s mining production is relatively so small but in fact the mining activity is still being maintained to be daily earnings for the local gold miners to rely on. Within the long run of the local gold miners activity at Cineam which has been working since 1968, this condition can give rise to many well skilled and experienced labors in seeking for gold ores, in handling small scale gold mining works, and in obtaining for the bullions. In other side, on thecontrary, there are some negative actions must be kept under control such as the disposal of the waste or tailing directly into the river and the unsafely process of heating the amalgam to obtain the bullion including other improper ways done during the handling of their mining activities. Since the whole mining operation so far generally financed by individual investors it is very likely that small scale gold mining lacks of the capital needed for the mining operation. This condition is what the KUD always facing with so that management and financial matters can be a very serious problem affecting the progress of the KUD Mekarjaya From some presentation given by the CCOP-CASM Meeting in Bandung we can compare the condition of small scale mining in Indonesia. and that from other countries which have conducted good management in mining regulation and policy in relation with licensing, mining workers, tax payment and awareness of environment live in the vicinity of mining areas On account of that event this can be expected to motivate and encourage the policy anddecision makers either locally or centrally throughout Indonesia in giving more attention related to the guidance, monitoring and inspection of the implementation of small scale mining activities which is actually growing in numbers.

Maternal exposure to arsenic and mercury in small-scale gold mining areas of Northern Tanzania

2019 ◽  
Vol 173 ◽  
pp. 432-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elias C. Nyanza ◽  
Francois P. Bernier ◽  
Mange Manyama ◽  
Jennifer Hatfield ◽  
Jonathan W. Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Mining ◽  
Maternal Exposure ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Areas ◽  
Northern Tanzania
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