Small-Scale Mining, Environment and Livelihoods: Perspectives from Mining Communities in Ghana

Abstract

The environment and livelihoods have come under severe strain in mineral-rich areas with the emergence of mechanised small-scale mining equipment, which generates more than five-fold increase in gold production. This article discusses the impact of mechanised small-scale mining on the environment and livelihoods of peasant farmers within broader climate change processes in Ghana. Methods used include community-level qualitative interviews, field observations, analysis of satellite imagery spanning the period 1987-2016, and published data on climate change processes affecting Ghana. The findings show water loss of more than seventy per cent, severely degraded lands and forests, with detrimental effects on livelihoods in the areas studied. Though the study did not find direct evidence of the impact of climate change processes on the environment, corroborative reports from research indicate about 1.6% rise in temperature across Ghana from 1960 to 2020, combined with extreme weather events such as torrential rains, excessive flooding and intensified evaporation from lands exposed through small-scale mining; these are very likely to have more adverse effects on the environment. The article concludes that the consequences of mechanised mining on the environment have been very detrimental in the face of domestic legislation and well-established environmental protection conventions and principles. The paper recommends a return to the observance of sound ecological principles and ideals by the State, and respect for the country’s legislation, to ensure sustainable livelihoods for people living in mineral-rich areas.