Examining subsector-based inequalities in health, safety and environmental conditions of gold miners in Ghana

Aram, Simon Appah; Lartey, Patrick Osei; Amoah, Samuel Kofi; Appiah, Augustine

doi:10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105369

Cited by 12 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…This also means that subsector and department differences in exposure to risk factors as well as varying social situations produce subsector and department specific patterns of occupational health problems. This finding is supported by [11] and [12] who stated that experiencing work related health challenges depends on the subsector of the miner.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

Managing occupational health among goldminers in Ghana: Modelling the likelihood of experiencing occupational related health problems

Aram

2021

PLoS ONE

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Background The importance of goldmining to Ghana’s development cannot be overestimated. However, the associated morbidities and mortalities resulting from occupational exposure to health hazards and the general cost associated with it is critical. In managing occupational health, a simple comprehension of the main determinants of the problem is required. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 504 goldminers was fitted to a nested binary logistic regression model to evaluate the independent effect of subsector departments, compositional attributes, contextual factors and working conditions on goldminers’ likelihood of experiencing occupational related health problems. Results Subsector department was robust and persisted in predicting experiencing occupational related health problems in all three models. Goldminers who were in artisanal small scale (ASM) non-production, large scale (LSM) production and LSM non-production were less likely to experience occupational related health problems as compared to their counterparts in ASM production. For the compositional factors, female goldminers were more likely to experience occupational related health problems as compared to their male co-workers. Goldminers who were married and also older miners were more likely to experience occupational related health problems as compared to the unmarried and the relatively younger goldminers. At the contextual level, miners who worked on shift-based schedule and also miners who lived close to mine sites were more likely to experience occupational related health problems. Among the working conditions, goldminers who worked in good health conditions were less likely to experience occupational related health problems. Surprisingly, goldminers who rated their safety conditions as good were more likely to experience occupational related health problems. Conclusion Gold miners are exposed to different health risk scenarios across subsectors and departments. These conditions need critical attention and action from industry stakeholders. Programs that promote self-care culture should be promoted, especially in the ASM subsector. PPE’s could be relied on for protection in the mining industry but they should be the last line of defense and not to replace preventive measures and actions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

Managing occupational health among goldminers in Ghana: Modelling the likelihood of experiencing occupational related health problems

Aram

2021

PLoS ONE

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“…Mahoney et al [24] validate the claim by many studies that intense and continued mining activities in a given region have resultant negative environmental consequences. Aram et al [25] highlight that the main factors that determine the severity of these environmental impacts include the technology used, the scope of extraction operations, and the project's site. The report, however, asserts that the environmental burden that mining operations exert far outweighs any benefits the community derives; and to further demonstrate the association between mining activities in Ghana and environmental complications, Mensah et al [9] recorded, among others, water and air pollution, biodiversity loss, and land degradation as some of the consequences.…”

Section: Environmental Issues Of Gold Miningmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Respiratory diseases were also linked to air pollution caused by the mine's open pits and processing units, which released dust and other chemicals into the atmosphere [22]. Fever, skin infections, and diarrhea were attributed to the consumption of polluted rivers and other bodies of water in the community by residents [25]. The cyanide and mercury that both ASMs and MNCs use in their operations, in addition to as deep-cast mines, result in incidences of heat exhaustion, high blood pressure, nervous system diseases, and myocardial infarction among their workers [3,23].…”

Section: Health Effects Of Mining In Ghana (Obuasi)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Review on Effects of Mining in Ghana: The Case of Obuasi Municipality

Kwaning

Atteh²

2022

ARJASS

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The mining industry has been crucial to the development of Ghana. As with all industries, mining has both advantages and disadvantages for the inhabitants of mineral-rich communities. The manner in which these environmental and health effects are managed by the government, neighboring communities, and mining companies can either worsen or improve the quality of life for community residents. It appears that land degradation, environmental pollution, and numerous socioeconomic issues have been major concerns for Ghanaian communities practicing small-scale mining. The majority of these negative effects are the result of regulatory agencies' failure to adequately oversee the mining industry. This paper looks at the effects of mining in Ghana, especially in the Obuasi Municipality. It does this by looking at the history of mining in Ghana (Obuasi), the regulatory actors along the mining value chain, and some important lessons about mining.

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Socio-demographic attributes of artisanal small-scale miners and their operations in Ghana

et al. 2022

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Examining subsector-based inequalities in health, safety and environmental conditions of gold miners in Ghana

Cited by 12 publications

References 17 publications

Managing occupational health among goldminers in Ghana: Modelling the likelihood of experiencing occupational related health problems

Managing occupational health among goldminers in Ghana: Modelling the likelihood of experiencing occupational related health problems

Review on Effects of Mining in Ghana: The Case of Obuasi Municipality

Socio-demographic attributes of artisanal small-scale miners and their operations in Ghana

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