Galamsey

Last updated

Galamsey in Ghana Galamsey in Ghana.jpg
Galamsey in Ghana

Galamsey refers to illegal small-scale gold mining in Ghana. [1] The term is derived from the English phrase "gather them and sell". [2] Historically, galamsey referred to traditional small-scale mining practices in Ghana, where local communities would gather and search for gold in rivers and streams. However, over time, the term has taken on a broader meaning, encompassing both legal and artisanal small-scale mining (ASM). [3] In Ghana, those involved in these activities are called galamseyers, and in neighbouring Francophone countries such as Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, they are often referred to as orpailleurs. [4] Ghana's widespread illegal mining activities have caused extensive destructing to the gold-rich West African country's forests. [5] [6]

Contents

Background

Galamseyers dig small working pits, tunnels, and sluices by hand. Generally, they can dig only to a limited depth, far shallower and smaller than commercial gold mining companies. Under current Ghanaian law, it is illegal for galamseyers to dig on land granted to mining companies as concessions or licences. Most galamseyers either find gold in free metallic dust form or process oxide or sulfide gold ore using liquid mercury. [7]

The number of galamseyers in Ghana is unknown but believed to range between 20,000 and 50,000, including thousands from China. [8] The minister of information, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, claimed in May 2017 that there are now 200,000 people engaged in galamsey, and according to other sources, there are nearly 3 million who rely on it for their livelihoods. [8] They mostly operate in the southern part of Ghana, where there are substantial reserves of gold deposits, usually within the environs of the larger mining companies. Galamsey settlements are usually poorer than neighbouring agricultural villages. They have high rates of accidents and are exposed to mercury poisoning from their crude processing methods. Many women are among the workers, acting mostly as porters for the miners. In some cases, galamseyers are the first to discover and work extensive gold deposits before mining companies find out and take over.

Types of galamsey

Broad galamsey categories [2] Galamsey typesKey resource/material useWater relationComments

1. Alluvial

1. Washing plantWashing plant/trommel, excavator, mercury, diesel, petrol, and lubricantsOperates near water bodies and requires a high volume of clean water for operationSimultaneous mining and gold extraction
2. Washing boardWashing/sluice board, excavator, mercury, diesel, petrol, and lubricantsOperates near water bodies and requires a high volume of clean water for operation
3. Pit dredgingPits, suction dredge, mercury, diesel, petrol, and lubricantsOperates within mini-pit lakes or mine-out pits and requires water
4. Stream/river dredgingRiver/stream, suction dredge, mercury, diesel, petrol, and lubricantsWithin water bodies with adequate current
5. Dig and washPan, shovels, pickaxes, manual, sluice board, mercuryIn wetland areas, rivers/creeks/streams banks
6. Panning (poole poole)

2. Underground mining

7. Abandoned underground shafts/tunnelsShaft, blasting, dewatering, load, and haul of oreUnderground/landlocked areasMining only
8. Sample hole/pit, or "ghetto"Manually dug-out pit, blasting, dewatering, mining

3. Millhouse

9. Mill-house operation

Diesel engine (Changfa), crusher, smoothing machine, retort, mercury, hydrocarbonsLandlocked areas; near the roadside, within urban centers, or near mining sitesProcessing only

4. Surface operation

10. SurfaceDiesel engine, mercury, retort, petrol, and lubricantsLandlocked areas; either near or far from water bodies, but requires water for operationSimultaneous mining and gold extraction
5. Selection ("pilfering mining")11. Selection (normally from large-scale or licit ASM sites)Manual selection, diesel engine, millhouse, mortar and pestle/sluice boardLandlocked areas; either near or far from water bodies, but requires water for operationMining only

Motives

The main motive behind people engaging in galamsey are youth unemployment and lack of job security. [9] [10] Young university graduates rarely find work, and when they do, it hardly sustains them. The result is that these youth go the extra mile to earn a living for themselves and their families. [11]

The causes of illegal gold mining include bureaucratic licensing regimes, weak legal frameworks, political and traditional leadership failures, and corrupt officials. Socioeconomic factors and the proliferation of foreign miners and mining equipment further compound the issue. [12]

Dangers

On 13 November 2009, a collapse occurred in an illegal, privately owned mine in Dompoase, located in the Ashanti Region. The incident claimed the lives of at least 18 workers, including 13 women, who served as porters for the miners. Officials described the disaster as the worst mine collapse in Ghana at the time. [13] In April 2013, a collapse occurred in the Central Region, killing at least 17 miners. [14] However, the 2022 Bogoso explosion, linked to the transportation of mining explosives, became the most devastating mining-related disaster in the nation's history, resulting in at least 13 deaths and over 180 injuries. [15]

Environmental impact

Illegal mining damages the land as well as water supply. [16] [17] Galamsey activities have depleted Ghana's forest cover and caused water pollution, due to the crude and unregulated nature of the mining process. [18] [19] In March 2017, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu, gave galamseyers a three-week ultimatum to stop their activities or be prepared to face the law. [20]

Human impact

Illegal mining has short-and long-term detrimental impacts on human health. Exposure to poisonous chemicals can lead to various cancers, mercury poisoning, silica-induced pneumoconiosis, and other respiratory conditions. In addition, stagnant water in abandoned mining pits serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can be vectors for various diseases. [21]

Stop Galamsey Now protest

On 21 September 2024, a local organization called Democracy Hub launched a protest aimed at pressuring the government of Ghana to enforce measures to stop galamsey. [22] The action lasted three days, with protesters demanding a direct and decisive intervention from President Nana Akufo-Addo, in the form of a presidential order to stop all illegal mining activities, particularly in forest reserves and along key rivers, [23] such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim, which have all been polluted with harmful chemicals like mercury and cyanide. [24] As of September 2024, 60% of Ghana's water bodies had suffered pollution due to galamsey. [25] The illegal practice has also led to forest degradation, [26] encouraged by the passage of Legislative Instrument L.I 2462 in 2022, which permitted mining in forest reserves. [27]

The protests led to a total of 53 arrests, [28] including a 62-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl. [29] [30]

Reactions

In September 2024, China's ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, condemned illegal mining in the country and warned Chinese citizens that the embassy will not assist those caught breaking the law. [31] [32] He stressed that China and Ghana both have the authority to enforce their laws on each other's citizens if they engage in illegal activities. [33]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gold mining</span> Process of extracting gold from the ground

Gold mining is the extraction of gold by mining.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarkwa</span> Town in Western Region, Ghana

Tarkwa is a town and is the capital of Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal district, a district in the Western Region southwest of South Ghana. Frequently dubbed as the "Golden City" by its indigenous populace, the region is characterized by a rich tapestry of Fante communities, among which include Efuanta, Tamso, Aboso, Akoon, Nzemaline, and Kwabedu.

Prestea is a town in the Western Region, in southwest Ghana and about 50 km north of the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. It lies on the west bank of the Ankobra River, about 60 mi (100 km) northwest of Cape coast. The town is part of the Prestea-Huni Valley District. Prestea is the forty-sixth most populous in Ghana, in terms of population, with a population of 35,760 people. A railway line connects Prestea to Tarkwa and beyond to the coastal city of Sekondi-Takoradi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mining industry of Ghana</span>

The Mining industry of Ghana accounts for 5% of the country's GDP and minerals make up 37% of total exports. Gold contributes over 90% of the total mineral exports. Thus, the main focus of Ghana's mining and minerals development industry remains focused on gold. Ghana is Africa's largest gold producer, producing 80.5 t in 2008. Ghana is also a major producer of bauxite, manganese and diamonds. Ghana has 20 large-scale mining companies producing gold, diamonds, bauxite and manganese; over 300 registered small scale mining groups; and 90 mine support service companies. Other mineral commodities produced in the country are natural gas, petroleum, salt, and silver.

Golden Star Resources Ltd was a Canadian company that owned and operated the Wassa gold mine in Ghana. The company formerly owned and operated the Bogoso-Prestea gold mine, also in Ghana, from 1999 to 2020. Headquartered in London, but with a registered office in Toronto, it was a public company with shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and cross-listed on the NYSE American and Ghana Stock Exchange. In 2022 the company was acquired by Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed Chifeng Jilong Gold Mining. Golden Star Resources was founded in 1984 by geologist Roger Morton and former football player Dave Fennell to pursue mineral interest in Guyana and formed a joint venture with Cambior to develop the Omai Mine. They changed their focus in 1999 to pursue owning and operating its own gold mines in Ghana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birim River</span> River in Ghana

The Birim River is one of the main tributaries of the Pra River in Ghana and the country's most important diamond-producing area, flowing through most of the width of the Eastern region. The river rises in the east of the Atewa Range, flows north through the gap between this range and the Kwahu Plateau, then runs roughly south-west until it joins the Pra. It gives its name to the Birimian rock formation, which yields most of the gold in the region. Ghana is the second largest producer of gold in Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dompoase mine collapse</span>

On November 12, 2009, a collapse occurred in an illegal, privately owned gold mine in Dompoase, Ashanti Region, Ghana. Up to 30 miners were prospecting the mine when it collapsed because of a landslide. At least 18 workers were killed in the collapse, including 14 women and the owner of the mine. Officials have described the disaster as the worst mine collapse in Ghanaian history.

Dompoase, a suburb of Kumasi, and located in the Adansi North District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The place is known for Dompoase Senior High School. It is a town of 30,000 people in Ghana. Kumasi is the capital of the region, considered the wealthiest and most powerful in the nation. It is the area of most cocoa production, as well as gold mining.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Artisanal mining</span> Independent, small-scale, subsistence mining

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is a blanket term for a type of subsistence mining involving a miner who may or may not be officially employed by a mining company but works independently, mining minerals using their own resources, usually by hand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cocoa production in Ghana</span>

Ghana is the second-largest exporter of cocoa beans in the world, after Côte d'Ivoire, which accounts for about one-third of the global supply. Ghana's cocoa cultivation, however, is noted within the developing world to be one of the most modelled commodities and valuables. The main factors that lead to Ghana being the second world Cocoa producer are government-owned support measures such as the COCOBOD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illegal mining</span> Mining without state permission

Illegal mining is mining activity that is undertaken without state permission. Illegal mining is the extraction of precious metals without following the proper procedures to participate in legal mining activity. These procedures include permits and licenses for exploration of the land, mining and transportation. 

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominic Nitiwul</span> Ghanaian politician

Dominic Aduna Bingab Nitiwul is a Ghanaian politician and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bimbilla constituency in the Northern Region of Ghana. He has also served in the Pan-African Parliament. Since February 2017, Nitiwul has held the office of Minister of Defence of Ghana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samuel Atta Akyea</span> Ghanaian lawyer and politician

Samuel Atta Akyea is a Ghanaian lawyer, politician and a member of the New Patriotic Party. He was the Minister for Works and Housing from 2017 until January 2021. He is the Member of Parliament of Akim Abuakwa South constituency in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He is the second person aside Nana Akufo-Addo to be elected as MP for that constituency in the 4th republic.

Operation Vanguard is a military police joint task force (JTF) set up by the President of Ghana in 2017 to combat illegal mining, known as galamsey. Over the years, the practice has depleted Ghana's forest cover and polluted bodies of water due to the crude and unregulated nature of the mining process.

Gold mining in Ghana has a long history, dating back to the 10th century when the region was part of the ancient Ghana Empire. Commercial gold mining began in the early 19th century, with Europeans establishing several mines during the colonial period. The first documented large-scale mining operation in Ghana was at Obuasi, where gold was discovered in 1897. By 1900, Ghana, then known as the Gold Coast, had become a major supplier of gold in the British Empire.

Joseph Albert Quarm popularly known as Prof. Quarm is a Ghanaian politician and member of the Seventh Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana representing the Manso-Nkwanta Constituency in the Ashanti Region on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party.

Tontokrom is a small town located in the Amansie South District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. It is mostly known for its gold and has recently been noted for the menace of illegal mining popularly called galamsey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crime in Ghana</span>

Crime in Ghana is investigated by the Ghana Police Service.

Anthony Aubynn is a Ghanaian manager, business executive, and founder. Aubynn is a former chief executive officer at Ghana Minerals Commission. He is the Founder and President of the African Institute of Extractive Industries (AIEI).

Daniel Owiredu is a Ghanaian engineer and mining executive. He currently serves as the chief executive officer of Future Global Resources and is a board member of GCB Bank Ltd.

References

  1. ↑ Danquah, David Yaw (26 June 2019). "Mining of Gold in Ghana Overview – Energy and Natural Resources – Ghana". Monday.com. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  2. 1 2 Owusu-Nimo, F.; Mantey, J.; Nyarko, K. B.; Appiah-Effah, Eugene; Aubynn, A. (1 February 2018). "Spatial distribution patterns of illegal artisanal small-scale gold mining (Galamsey) operations in Ghana: A focus on the Western Region". Heliyon. 4 (2): e00534. Bibcode:2018Heliy...400534O. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00534 . ISSN   2405-8440. PMC   5835009 . PMID   29511743.
  3. ↑ Mantey, J.; Owusu-Nimo, F.; Nyarko, K. B.; Aubynn, A. (1 January 2017). "Operational dynamics of "Galamsey" within eleven selected districts of the western region of Ghana". Journal of Mining and Environment. 8 (1): 11–34. doi:10.22044/jme.2016.627. ISSN   2251-8592.
  4. ↑ "Orpailleur: Définition de orpailleur". cnrtl.fr. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  5. ↑ "Illegal mining threatens Ghana forests". Africanews. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  6. ↑ "Ghana's Illegal Galamsey Gold Mining Affecting Cocoa Farmers, Chocolate Supply". Science. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  7. ↑ "Galamsey: Ghana's illegal gold mining industry causes environmental destruction". bbc.com. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  8. 1 2 Burrows, Edward; Lucia Bird (30 May 2017). "Gold, guns and China: Ghana's fight to end galamsey". African Arguments. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  9. ↑ Gracia, Zindzy (31 January 2018). "Causes and effects of galamsey in Ghana". Yen.com.gh – Ghana news. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  10. ↑ Agbesi, Kelly Michael (17 May 2017). "Galamsey menace: Causes, effects, and solutions". ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  11. ↑ Kpienbaareh, Daniel; Kansanga, Moses Mosonsieyiri; Konkor, Irenius; Luginaah, Isaac (7 August 2020). "The Rise of the Fourth Estate: The Media, Environmental Policy, and the Fight against Illegal Mining in Ghana". Environmental Communication. 15 (1): 69–84. doi:10.1080/17524032.2020.1799050. ISSN   1752-4032.
  12. ↑ Ampaw, Enock Mintah; Chai, Junwu; Jiang, Yuguo; Dumor, Koffi; Edem, Amouzou Koffi (June 2023). "Why is Ghana losing the war against illegal gold mining (Galamsey)? An artificial neural network-based investigations". Environmental Science and Pollution Research International. 30 (29): 73730–73752. Bibcode:2023ESPR...3073730A. doi:10.1007/s11356-023-27265-x. ISSN   1614-7499. PMID   37195613.
  13. ↑ "Women die in Ghana mine collapse". BBC News. 12 November 2009. Retrieved 12 November 2009.
  14. ↑ Suleman, H. A.; Baffoe, P. E. (30 June 2017). "Selecting Suitable Sites for Mine Waste Dumps Using GIS Techniques at Goldfields, Damang Mine". Ghana Mining Journal. 17 (1): 9–17. doi:10.4314/gm.v17i1.2. ISSN   0855-210X.
  15. ↑ "Ghana blast: Many feared dead after huge explosion near Bogoso". BBC News. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  16. ↑ "Illegal mining abound, ghost towns await – MyJoyOnline". myjoyonline.com. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  17. ↑ Ansah, Marian Efe (22 March 2017). "Galamsey, pollution destroying water bodies in Ghana – Water Company". Ghana News. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  18. ↑ Gyekye, Joyce. "MD of Ghana Water Company Limited says fight against galamsey is being lost". Ghana Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  19. ↑ "Galamsey menace: Causes, effects and solutions". GhanaWeb. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  20. ↑ Allotey, Godwin Akweiteh (29 March 2017). "Stop galamsey in 3 weeks or face the law – Amewu". Ghana News. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  21. ↑ Etefe, Juliet (8 May 2023). "Time for action – galamsey is having serious effects on our environment, and communities". The Business & Financial Times. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  22. ↑ "Three-day street protest against galamsey: when will the Catholic Church join the fight?". Catholic Trends. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  23. ↑ Moro, Salifu Bagulube (21 September 2024). ""End Galamsey now": Ghanaians hit the streets to protest against illegal mining". Yen.com.gh. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  24. ↑ Mensah, Kent (17 September 2024). "Dying rivers, dying hopes: Human cost of illegal mining devastating Ghana's future". The Africa Report. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  25. ↑ "60% of Ghana Water Bodies Polluted by Galamsey". DailyGuide Network. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  26. ↑ "Illegal small-scale mining threatens Ghana's forest reserves". voaafrica.com. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  27. ↑ "Galamsey: LI 2462 one of Ghana's backward legislations ever – Mine workers union". 12 September 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  28. ↑ "Day two of 'Say No to Galamsey demo ends with dozens arrested – MyJoyOnline". myjoyonline.com. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  29. ↑ "Scores of people arrested as scuffle ensues between Democracy Hub protesters and police – MyJoyOnline". myjoyonline.com. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  30. ↑ Eghan, Sammy Danso (22 September 2024). "Ghana Police arrest 62-year-old and 10-year-old protesters in anti-galamsey demo". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  31. ↑ Olander, Eric (19 September 2024). "[WEEK IN REVIEW] Illegal Chinese Miners in Ghana Have Been Warned". The China-Global South Project. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  32. ↑ GTonline (16 September 2024). "Combatting illegal mining: Stay away from galamsey!! ...Chinese Ambassador admonishes compatriots". Ghanaian Times. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  33. ↑ GhanaWeb (15 September 2024). "Punish Chinese illegal miners caught abusing Ghanaian laws – Chinese Ambassador Tong Defa".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.