Small Scale Mining Operations and Their Effects in the East Akim Municipal Assembly

ABSTRACT

Small-scale mining has gained much recognition throughout the world. In Ghana it employs thousands of people and affects the livelihoods of many households located within the catchment areas of the mines. The study examined small-scale mining operations and their effects on the livelihoods of people the East Akim Municipal Assembly. In addition, the coping strategies adapted by affected individuals were also indentified. Four communities within the municipality were selected for the study. A total of 260 respondents were contacted for relevant information and the main research instruments used were questionnaires and interviews. The findings of the study show that the main method of mining in the studied communities is surface mining. With this method, about 54% of respondents serve as porters who engage in fetching of sand that has been dug to be washed for gold. Besides, over 95% of the miners in the municipality operate illegally, without any valid mining license. The study further revealed that small-scale mining activities have caused both positive and negative effects on livelihoods of people in the East Akim Municipality. The positive effects include generation of employment and income, increase in compensation, contributions to community development and improvement in trading activities. Some of the negative effects include degradation of forest cover and farmlands, creating of dangerous pits and trenches and pollution of water bodies. In terms of socio-economic effects, the study revealed high cost of living, high rate of school dropout, absenteeism and drug abuse. In order to cope with the adverse effects of the small-scale mining, respondents adapted several strategies such as farming on alternative lands, fetching water from boreholes and buying of sachet water for domestic use. The study recommends that small-scale mining activities must be monitored and degraded lands should be reclaimed. In addition, compensations packages must be given to affected farmers including the provision of alternative water sources.