Assessing releases of mercury from small-scale gold mining sites in Ghana

Clifford, Martin

doi:10.1016/j.exis.2017.05.007

Cited by 24 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…As other studies have suggested, making visible the role of women in AGM is urgent to academic research and public policies (Lahiri-Dutt, 2015; Yakovleva, 2007). By understanding the reproduction of gender inequality involved in AGM, formalization and environmental regulation are important conditions not only to help reducing mercury pollution (Clifford, 2017; Evers et al., 2016; Sippl, 2015) but also to improve the general conditions of women miners: first, in terms of improving the economic recognition for their work; second, in terms of identifying and protecting traditional practices by women; and third, in terms of reducing their exposure to chemical contamination.…”

Section: Conclusion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For countries where AGM is an important activity, Article 7, Annex C of the treaty calls for elimination or reduction of the use of mercury and to formulate a National Action Plan by 2016 that guarantees to step back mercury contamination (Sippl, 2015). While the treaty has directed much of the public sector's attention toward the impacts of mercury on the human health, particularly of miners and local inhabitant of mining sites (Black, Richard, Rossin, & Telmer, 2017), it has also resulted in renewed research efforts on mercury pollution in ASM (Clifford, 2017). In addition to technical, toxicological, and medical approaches, important recent research has called for addressing updated baseline data, governance, citizen empowerment, capacity building, and education as primary conditions for reducing mercury emissions (Clifford, 2014; Evers, Keane, Basu, & Buck, 2016; Sippl, 2015; Spiegel, Yassi, Spiegel, & Veiga, 2005; Veiga, Angeloci-Santos, & Meech, 2014).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Mercury Pollution and Artisanal Gold Mining in Alto Cauca, Colombia: Woman's Perception of Health and Environmental Impacts

Vélez‐Torres

Vanegas

McLamore

et al. 2018

The Journal of Environment & Development

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This article discusses the results of a pilot research strategy for monitoring environmental hazards derived from the use of mercury in artisanal gold mining in the Alto Cauca region, Colombia. During 2016 and 2017, a transdisciplinary approach was established to inquire on the health, environment, and territorial problems originated from artisanal mining. In this article, we specifically focus on how this particular issue affects women in the area. We establish a closed-loop approach for integrating social action research with analytical sciences/engineering to understand risks associated with Hg2+ levels in artisanal and small-scale gold mining in the Cauca department. We develop a platform known as closed-loop integration of social action and analytical chemistry research.

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Section: Conclusion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury Pollution and Artisanal Gold Mining in Alto Cauca, Colombia: Woman's Perception of Health and Environmental Impacts

Vélez‐Torres

Vanegas

McLamore

et al. 2018

The Journal of Environment & Development

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“…In Ghana, and similar to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the major environmental problems associated with ASM activities are mercury pollution from gold processing, pollution of water bodies, and the destruction of natural and agricultural lands (Amankwah, 2013;Clifford, 2017;Nartey et al, 2011). These problems are as the results of the activities of both legal and illegal operators who equally engage in illegal activities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies (e.g., Armah et al, 2016a;Banchirigah, 2008;Bansah, 2019;Clifford, 2017;Tschakert, 2009) show that despite these interventions, illegal mining activities have increased in intensity because of weak enforcement, coordination, and incomprehensive collaboration and consultation among relevant stakeholders. Some scholars (Asamoah & Osei-Kojo, 2016;Banchirigah, 2008;Teschner, 2012) have, however, blamed the high incidence of illegal mining in Ghana on four main factors, namely, lack of effective law enforcement, corruption on the part of officials, lack of political will, and complex licensing process.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perception of Small-Scale Miners on Interventions to Eradicate Illegal Small-Scale Mining in Ghana

et al. 2020

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The proliferation of illegal mining in Ghana, coupled with its environmental impacts, especially on water bodies has compelled the government to ban all artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) activities in the country. The ban is intended to promote environmental sustainability while the government takes steps to provide sustainable health, and environmental-friendly ASM in Ghana. This paper assesses the perception of registered miners on the current approach by the Ghanaian government to stop illegal mining. Analyses of data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews revealed that the miners felt “left out” of the entire process. They maintained that they were not directly involved in the process to ban illegal mining in Ghana. To them, the proliferation of illegal mining in Ghana is the result of non-performing government institutions, corruption, and cumbersome licensing procedures. The article calls for improvement in the collaboration between the government and miners through a simplified participatory framework for the management of ASM in Ghana.

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“…Furthermore, in Ghana, almost all artisanal and small-scale mining companies use mercury during gold extraction (Foli et al, 2011;Obiri et al, 2016;Clifford, 2017). This process of gold extraction using inorganic mercury is described as amalgamation.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Known and anticipated medical geology issues in Ghana

Kazapoe

Arhin²,

Amuah

2021

EFCC

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Purpose This paper aims to review the known and anticipated medical geology problems in Ghana, to highlight the impact of some trace elements on human health and to reveal some essential aspects of medical geology on health. Design/methodology/approach Literature and empirical studies relating to medical geological issues in Ghana were reviewed. Secondary data were used in the present study such as case studies, reports, geological bulletins and published research studies. Findings High levels of heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium and mercury in gold extraction processes through artisanal small-scale mining have contributed to high concentrations of toxic elements in the environment. The distribution and availability of these elements in the environment are facilitated by the geological, chemical and local environmental activities that are irregularly spread exposing people mining areas to pollutions. Exposures to these elements in above and below baseline levels contributed to health implications including fluorosis, intellectual or developmental disability and death in some regions of Ghana. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases linked to mining activities were also presented in this study. Similarly, non-communicable diseases can affect many people if correct measures are not considered. Following the geometric increase in mining activities, it is anticipated that deleterious environmental and health impacts associated with mining may persist in mining areas in Ghana. Reported implications and continuous contamination of water bodies in mining areas could result in high pollution levels beyond treatment for human use or destroy aquatic habitats and aquatic lives through acid drainage. Above-threshold concentrations of heavy metals in soils could bio-accumulate in crops, and this could pose deleterious public health implications on consumers. Continuous effects posed on the environment and public health may prompt communities, regulatory institutions and government to reduce or ban mineral development. Originality/value This review has significantly revealed potential public health issues from the impact on the natural environment and recommends that medical geologists work together with medical workers to devise preventive and therapeutic techniques to address many geology-related-health issues in Ghana.

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Assessing releases of mercury from small-scale gold mining sites in Ghana

Cited by 24 publications

References 38 publications

Mercury Pollution and Artisanal Gold Mining in Alto Cauca, Colombia: Woman's Perception of Health and Environmental Impacts

Mercury Pollution and Artisanal Gold Mining in Alto Cauca, Colombia: Woman's Perception of Health and Environmental Impacts

Perception of Small-Scale Miners on Interventions to Eradicate Illegal Small-Scale Mining in Ghana

Known and anticipated medical geology issues in Ghana

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