Geospatial characterisation and distribution of Illegal gold mining (galamsey) operations in Upper West Region, Ghana

Baddianaah, Issah; Baatuuwie, Bernard Nuoleyeng; Adongo, Raymond

doi:10.1007/s10708-022-10642-3

Cited by 7 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…4.1.1 | Gender dynamics and women in underground pit/ghetto mining operations Underground pit/ghetto galamsey (hard rock mining) involves manual and labour-intensive excavation and digging of shafts deep-down in the ground to enable the miners to get access to the mineral-bearing rock (ore), whereby explosives (dynamites) are sometimes used to blast (break) the rock into pieces (Aryee et al, 2003). A ghetto can measure up to about 30 metres deep (Baddianaah, Baatuuwie, & Adongo, 2022a). Along the chain of activities undertaken by the miners, it was observed that the underground pit/ghetto galamsey is male-dominated, since the men offer the majority of the labour needs of the activities undertaken at the site.…”

Section: Gender Dynamics In Asm Operationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They include dig-and-wash, dig-and-check and alluvial or placer mining (Baddianaah, Baatuuwie, & Adongo, 2022a;Owusu-Nimo et al, 2018).…”

Section: Gender Dynamics In Asm Operationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, the dig-and-check galamsey does not require the use of mercury in mining since the raw gold is hand-picked unlike the dig-and-wash galamsey. Healthwise, the dig-and-check galamsey is encouraged because it is free from frequent pit collapses, deaths and physical injuries that are prevalent with the underground pit/ghetto galamsey (Baddianaah, Baatuuwie, & Adongo, 2022a). Contamination, frequent pit collapses, untimely deaths and mercury-related hazards are the major challenges faced by miners in ASM operations (Mabe et al, 2021).…”

Section: Gender Dynamics In Asm Operationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The condemnation of ASM is because the activities are associated with many adverse environmental and social consequences in the country. Some scholars are of the view that the growing environmental destruction associated with ASM is a result of the fact that the majority (85%) of the miners are engaged in illegal mining (Afriyie et al., 2016; Baddianaah, Baatuuwie, & Adongo, 2022a; Boafo et al., 2019). Thus, formalisation of the ASM sector remains a topmost priority for policymakers and stakeholders in Ghana (McQuilken & Hilson, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the region's gold deposits have recently attracted a large-scale mining company (Azumah Resource Limited) to commence prospecting for a possible large-scale mining operation, much of the gold is extracted by ASM operators. In addition, the majority of the miners engage in illegal operations involving the use of simple tools such as shovels, pans, pickaxes and buckets and low mechanised methods (Baddianaah, Baatuuwie, & Adongo, 2022a). Women and children are seen on a daily basis carrying sand and water and washing gold ores at the mine sites.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Navigating access to golden lands: Gender roles and constraints of women in artisanal and small‐scale mining operations in north‐western Ghana

Baddianaah

2023

Geography and Environment

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The daily lives of female artisanal and small‐scale miners revolve around an array of complex and labour‐driven activities. The complexities and labour demands vary depending on the type of artisanal and small‐scale mining involved, the underground pit (ghetto) or surface mining. Few studies have explored how gender roles manifest in the two major mining types to inform policy on the creation of a gendered mining environment for women. This paper fills the lacuna in the literature by investigating gender roles and the consequential effects on female artisanal miners' daily lives and practices along the underground pit and surface mining. The liberal feminist theoretical lens is employed as a framework. Data were sourced through field observations and in‐depth interviews with 13 lead miners (men) and 67 female miners in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Findings show that sociocultural marginalisation of women is predominant in underground pit/ghetto mining. Women are content to work in surface mining operations and can form gangs to operate independently; nevertheless, sociocultural framings have limited women's space and access to mineralised concessions. The study argues that steps towards promoting gender equality in artisanal and small‐scale mining should explore a gendered mineralised concessions distribution; thus, the distribution of mining concessions under the community mining project by the government of Ghana should be gender‐sensitive.

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Section: Gender Dynamics In Asm Operationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They include dig-and-wash, dig-and-check and alluvial or placer mining (Baddianaah, Baatuuwie, & Adongo, 2022a;Owusu-Nimo et al, 2018).…”

Section: Gender Dynamics In Asm Operationsmentioning

confidence: 99%