Livelihood implications of artisanal gold mining in farming communities: insight from the Wa East District, Ghana

The impact of artisanal mining on livelihoods in developing countries is a contentious issue. As a contribution to this subject, the study assessed the implications of artisanal gold mining activities on smallholder agriculture in the Wa East District of Ghana. A descriptive survey design with a mixed methods research approach was used. Primary data were sourced from respondents through interviews, questionnaire administration, and field observation. Five artisanal mining communities were selected based on the intensity of mining activities in them. The study respondents consisted of 290 household heads drawn randomly from 1,050 households. Also, key informants consisting of 5 assembly members and 15 lead artisanal miners were interviewed. The study found artisanal mining to be a dominant livelihood strategy in the district, employing about 76.2% of respondents at various levels. Artisanal mining contribution to household income was higher than food crop farming. Proceeds from mining are used to finance smallholder agriculture. However, the activities of the miners have resulted in the degradation of farmlands. We argued that artisanal mining activities should be aligned with other livelihood options such as agriculture in local communities. The study called for the engagement of local miners and traditional rulers in mineral resource decision-making.

Effect of artisanal mining on groundwater quality in Antang District, Jema'al Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

No Abstract.

Assessment of Gold Mining Impact on the Vegetation of Itagunmodi-Igun Drainage Basin, Southwestern Nigeria from 1972–2011: A Remote Sensing

A GIS-based Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) was analyzed using space-based data between 1972 and 2011 as Input data. The result of the NDVI using Landsat 7 ETM+ shows clearly that the values range from 0.19 to −0.31. Mountains and highlands of the Itagunmodi-Igun area revealed stressed vegetation cover between 0.11 to −0.31. The NDVI was also performed on Landsat imageries of four different epoch: 1972, 1986, 2000, and 2010. Results showed that vegetation index ranged from −0.105 to 0.033, −0.25 to 0.480, −0.313 to 0.19 and −0.29 to 0.5 in 1972, 1986, 2000 and 2010 respectively. The analysis revealed that the study area experienced an increase in biomass between 1972 and 1986 but with some areas experiencing outright disappearance of vegetation as indicated by the lower bands of index values in 1972 (−0.105) and 1986 (−0.25). The result showed that the Basin experienced a rapid and significant increase in biomass between 2000 and 2010, as indicated by the lower bands of index values in 2000 (−0.291) and 2010 (0.5). The results of the NDVI in 1972 ranged from −0.105 to 0.033 while NDVI in 1986 ranged from −0.25 to 0.480 which indicated a significant increase in the vegetation index. The results of the NDVI in 2000 ranged from 0.291 to 0.5 also indicated a significant increase in the vegetation index. The study concluded that artisanal mining could cause land and vegetation degradation with consequent loss of biodiversity, ecological modification.

Artisanal Mining Practice and Physical Impacts on the Environment in the Ity-Floleu Gold Region, Côte d'Ivoire

This paper describes artisanal gold mining practices and environmental impacts around the Ity-Floleu gold mine, in western Côte d'Ivoire. Interviews and field observations as well as measurements of turbidity and water flow velocity in the section of the river (Cavally) watering the study area, made it possible to identify 13 artisanal mining sites, housing 247 artisans, operating in groups made up mainly of 5 to 10 people. The activity is dominated by local populations from the villages of Ity and Floleu and the surrounding communities. Gold mined comes from alluvial and vein ores, with a predominance of alluvial ore, extracted in the sediments of the bed and the banks of the river and in the soils, inside forests. In the bed of the river, sediments are dredged using machines placed on boats, from where they are washed in mats and then dumped into the watercourse. On the other hand, on the banks of the river and in the forests, the material used consists of picks, dabas, mats, and shovels. In all cases, gold is recovered as a concentrate of gold powder. As regards vein ores, they are also extracted along with the soils of cultivable land, but in the form of blocks of stone which are crushed and washed. The gold is then recovered using mercury, followed by cyanidation. The techniques used lead to the silting up and the fall of the banks of the river, reduction of agricultural land, and the degradation of the environment by the tailings. The Cavally River appears to be strongly impacted in the midstream part of the Ity-Floleu axis, marked by a decrease in the bed and the river flow velocity (0.19 m/s) and higher turbidity (255.3 NTU). More effective policies are urgently needed to restore degraded ecosystems, both aquatic and terrestrial.