Operational dynamics of “Galamsey” within eleven selected districts of western region of Ghana

Mantey, J.; Owusu-Nimo, F.; Nyarko, K.B.; Aubynn, A.

doi:10.22044/jme.2016.627

Document Type : Case Study

Authors

¹ Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Environmental Department, Tarkwa-Ghana

² Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Civil Department, Kumasi-Ghana

³ Ghana Minerals Commission, Accra-Ghana

https://doi.org/10.22044/jme.2016.627

Abstract

The uncontrolled spread of illegal artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASM), popularly termed “galamsey” in Ghana, has, for decades, impacted adversely upon water bodies, soils, wildlife, human health, and safety. A lack of understanding, however, of the types of galamsey, their operational attributes, and their relative impacts has unfortunately hindered an effective policy response despite numerous calls from civic societal groups to address this menace.
This paper is part of a comprehensive study in 11 selected municipal and district assemblies of the Western Region of Ghana to help provide an in-depth understanding into the galamsey operations in Ghana. It discusses the various forms of galamsey, their operational attributes, and relative environmental impacts.
Through extensive literature review, site visits, and task observations, five broad categories and 11 sub-groupings of galamsey were unearthed based on the gold deposit type, resources used, origin of technology used, mining, and processing style as well as the local names given. These include (1) Placer/alluvial galamsey (“dig and wash”, “washing plant”, “washing board”, “anwona”, dredging, and panning), (2) Underground galamsey (abandoned underground shafts and “sample pit”), (3) Surface (“chamfi”) galamsey, (4) Mill-House galamsey, and (5) Selection galamsey. Whilst the underground and selection galamsey involve ore mining only, the mill-house focuses exclusively on ore processing. The alluvial and surface galamsey, however, involve simultaneous mining and ore processing activities.
The information presented in this paper could prove valuable to policy formulation efforts, design, and implementation of effective wasteland remediation programs by governments, conservation organizations, and other stakeholders in hard-hit regions with similar illegal gold mining dilemma.

Keywords

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Journal of Mining and Environment

Operational dynamics of “Galamsey” within eleven selected districts of western region of Ghana

References

References

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Volume 8, Issue 1
January 2017
Pages 11-34

Operational dynamics of “Galamsey” within eleven selected districts of western region of Ghana

References

References

[1]. Ghana Mining Summit. (2015). http://www.ghanaminingsummit.com/ghana-mining-summit/ (accessed on 8th May 2015).

[2]. Top 10 gold producing countries in the world, November 2015. http://www.countrydetail.com/top-10-gold-producing-countries-with-largest-gold-reserves-in-the-world/ (accessed on February 20th 2016).

[8]. Kunateh M.A. (2012). Hammah calls for attitude change to stamp out galamsey. http://thechronicle.com.gh/hammah-calls-for-attitude-change-to-stamp-out-galamsey.

[45]. Gold Rush Nuggets. (2016). How a Gold Trommel Works. http://www.goldrushnuggets.com/howgotrwo.html (accessed on 12th January 2016).

Volume 8, Issue 1January 2017Pages 11-34

Volume 8, Issue 1
January 2017
Pages 11-34