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.

Changes in livelihoods: coastal community responses to artisanal gold mining at Anggai village

This study aims to describe changes in the livelihoods of coastal communities in Anggai village as a response to artisanal gold mining. The study used a descriptive approach the selection of respondents by purposive sampling. The results showed a change in the livelihood pattern, marked by a change in job orientation shifting work orientation from being farmers/fishers as the primary/main livelihood to being miners. Internal factors driving the change were individual motivation, work duration, and offspring needs. Meanwhile, external factors included job opportunities offered/invited by relatives, simple technology that was easy to apply, and growing mobilization. Meanwhile, artisanal mining had impact in increasing community (family) income.

A Review of Mining Regulations and Environmental Sustainability of Artisanal Gold Mining Sector

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining imparts on economic development more significantly in developing countries, but it is also responsible for serious environmental deterioration and human health concerns. Despite, the robust environmental legislations focused at mitigating the pernicious environmental and human health effects, little attention has been given to integration of environmental sustainability concepts into these regulations. This paper aims at addressing this gap by utilizing a systematic literature review methodology to analyze regulatory gaps and identify areas for improvement for integration of sustainable development. This study employed a systematic review designed to identify published scholarly studies on artisanal gold mining regulations for their effectiveness on environmental sustainability in the ASGM sector. A total of 159 papers were retrieved from the selected databases, 41 passed the inclusion criteria after a conscientious data analysis forming the evidence synthesis. After a rigorous data analysis, we find that the existing literature on ASGM regulations, largely do not systematically integrate critical issues of environmental sustainability. We found that, the regulations have concentrated on effects of chemicals such as mercury and cyanide mining technologies to minimize pollution and environmental assessments, while at the same time failing to address regulatory components of social issues, lack environmental incentives for the poor miners to improve production, lack of alternative technologies, lack of social securities, economic incentives and relevant trainings and awareness creation on health and safety which will continue to motivate unsustainable operations. It is thus strongly proposed that environmental sustainability concepts should be systematically and simultaneously integrated into ASGM regulations and policies in order to promote community livelihoods while protecting the environment from its rudimentary activities. The existing literature on ASGM regulations is unsystematic and inconsistent with most of it failing to fully address environmental sustainability challenges

Impacts of artisanal and small-scale gold mining on soils in northern regions of Côte d’Ivoire: cases of Boundiali, Korhogo and Tengrela

The development artisanal and small-scale gold mining in recent years in Côte d'Ivoire could pose a risk to soils and health of local communities. This study aimed at assessing the impacts of artisanal and small-scale gold mining on the soils in the areas in the northen localities (Boundiali, Korhogo and Tengrela) of Côte d’Ivoire, where those activities are accentuated. Field observation and physico-chemical parameters analysis (potential hydrogen (pH), cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic matter (OM)) and pollutants (mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As) and cyanide (CN)) in soil samples were carried out. The results indicate that artisanal gold mining create soils erosion and consequently, soil structure destruction. Trace metals concentrations were 0.0001-0.0051 mg/kg (Hg), 0.002-0.32 mg/kg (CN), 18.90-73.10 mg/kg (Cu), 16.40-50.1 mg/kg (As) and 10.20-26.60 mg/kg (Zn). Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) in soils showed uncontamination for Hg and Zn, uncontamination to moderate contamination for Cu and moderate to strong contamination for As. According to ecological risk index (Eri), As could pose considerable to high risks to biota in study area. This study highlights serious risks to soil biota and human health, from artisanal gold mining activities. Thus, it is necessary to clean-up arsenic-contaminated soils.

Sustainability of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Northeast Antioquia-Colombia

The aim of this work is to explain the concepts of sustainability with respect to small artisanal gold mining. For this, a qualitative approach with a descriptive scope was used, for which the bibliographic review technique was conducted. In this sense, articles, theses, books and institutional documents, and any contribution related to the research topic were taken into consideration. Likewise, this documentation contributed to the delimiting aspects that allowed a contrast between the proposed definitions and small artisanal mining in the Northeast Antioquia region in Colombia. Based on the reviewed sources, different needs were recognized in artisanal small-scale gold mining in Northeast Antioquia that still need action. In conclusion, through the exposition of sustainability theories, three common factors were identified within the various positions that were raised—the environmental, economic, and sociocultural dimensions.