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The dynamics and livelihood implications of illegal mining in Ghana: A critical assessment

2022; Wiley; Volume: 61; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/1745-5871.12573

1745-5871

Kwadwo Afriyie, Kabila Abass, Foster Frempong, Beatrice Arthur, Razak M. Gyasi,

Hydropower, Displacement, Environmental Impact

Abstract Discourses on “illegal” or informal small‐scale mining ( galamsey ) have presented it largely as a menace. Using Ghana as the focus of our study, we present a counter‐narrative to the predominant discourse. Employing qualitative in‐depth interviews with 193 local galamsey operators, the study found that economic factors coupled with the combative posture of state regulatory agencies explain the persistence of illegal activity. Although galamsey is not problem‐free, the study revealed it is the livelihood support base of such communities, providing jobs and incomes to many households. Since mineral‐rich local communities, at least, in part, depend on galamsey , the state and its regulatory agencies could collaboratively work with local agencies and mineral‐rich communities to fully exploit the hidden treasures in galamsey while reducing the proximate negative effects.