Impacts of Mining on the Natural Environment and Wellbeing of Mining-Fringe Communities in Prestea, Ghana

Abstract

Although Small Scale surface mining has grown significantly in the developing world in recent decades, the hive of environmental and socioeconomic discontents that accompanies large-scale surface mining activities are very much unprecedented. This paper therefore examines the operations of large scale mining group in the context of such discontents, in the case of Prestea, a vibrant mining town in the Prestea-Huni Valley District Assembly Area in the Western Region of Ghana. Case study approach within a naturalistic and interpretivist paradigm is the research design for this proposed study. The specific case involves the activities of BGL within the context of community safety and sustainability. Both quantitative and qualitative primary dataset were used in this study, coupled with observations and site visits. In-community survey was carried out with a total of seventy respondents (including mining employees) and SPSS analysis was done on the gathered data. The qualitative primary data were collected using in-depth, semistructured interviews with representatives of case company and stakeholder institutions and departments. Secondary data from case company and stakeholder institutions were subjected to content analysis. The findings of the study reveal that although the economic contribution of the mining sector towards the area's economy is significant, the environmental and social wellbeing of host communities do not received equal enthusiasm and attention from the case company. The paper therefore critically assesses the effectiveness of the current remedial measures by the case company and makes policy recommendations to promote cleaner and safer production.

Resource utilization conflict in downstream non‐resettled communities of the Bui Dam in Ghana

“…In communities like New Longoro, Bamboi and Bungase, responses from the questionnaires and the FGDs showed that the emerging logging, and especially gold mining, is resulting in low attendance and high dropout rates at school as a result of pupils leaving school to work and some of the girls getting pregnant and leaving school. Low enrolment and attendance rates at school, as well as dropout rates, have been reported in mining areas in Ghana and elsewhere in the sub‐region (see e.g., Owusu and Dwomoh, ; Erdiaw‐Kwasie et al , ; O’Neill, ).…”

Environmental and social impacts identification for small-scale alluvial mining projects

“…Mining is considered to be an essential economic activity which contributes significantly to the development of several economies (Erdiaw-Kwasie et al , 2014). Every mining project goes through different phases, beginning with initial exploration, to the mineral exploitation and the final post-closure phase (Akabzaa and Darimani, 2001).…”

“…Similarly, underground mining results in environmental subsidence. Erdiaw-Kwasie et al (2014) report that the physical environment of communities where large-scale surface mining activities take place are characterized by poor vegetation, noise, vibrations and acidic rains which causes cracks buildings.…”

“…Erdiaw-Kwasie et al (2014) argue that surface mining destroys about six times the land surface instead of underground mining. Mining operations cause air pollution from dust and gas emissions from blasting, drilling, excavations which are easily dispersed by the wind.…”

An Integrated Approach to Assess the Environmental Impacts of Large-Scale Gold Mining: The Nzema-Gold Mines in the Ellembelle District of Ghana as a Case Study

“…Gold, diamond, bauxite, and manganese are the main minerals produced by large-scale mining companies in the country. Other industrial minerals, like silver, salt, and limestone, are produced by small-scale operators [ 14 , 22 , 23 ].…”