Gold mining pollution and the cost of private healthcare: The case of Ghana

Akpalu, Wisdom; Normanyo, Ametefee K.

doi:10.35188/unu-wider/2016/165-9

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Respiratory infections as a leading cause of death seem quite plausible overall given that air pollution in gold mining has been linked to the spread of pathogens and potentially toxic elements which can contribute to the increase of respiratory diseases [66,67]. Our findings are similar to previous literature that found an association between gold mining and increased respiratory diseases [15,18,19] and asthma [68]. In addition, a recent qualitative study involving focus group discussions from communities around GGM and BGL published similar concerns with regards to air pollution coming from large-scale mining activities [69].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…On the other hand, mining has long been identified as a hazardous industry with often substantially increased risk of adverse health outcomes for miners and surrounding communities [11]. Studies have linked mining to increased levels of cancer [12][13][14][15][16], poisoning [17], cardiovascular diseases [18,19], respiratory diseases [19][20][21][22] and adverse pregnancy outcomes [23,24], as well as injuries [25,26] and tuberculosis (TB) [21,27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Estimating the mortality burden of large scale mining projects—Evidence from a prospective mortality surveillance study in Tanzania

Lyatuu

Winkler

Loss

et al. 2021

PLOS Glob Public Health

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We set up a mortality surveillance system around two of the largest gold mines in Tanzania between February 2019 and February 2020 to estimate the mortality impact of gold mines. Death circumstances were collected using a standardized verbal autopsy tool, and causes of death were assigned using the InSilicoVA algorithm. We compared cause-specific mortality fractions in mining communities with other subnational data as well as national estimates. Within mining communities, we estimated mortality risks of mining workers relative to other not working at mines. At the population level, mining communities had higher road-traffic injuries (RTI) (risk difference (RD): 3.1%, Confidence Interval (CI): 0.4%, 5.9%) and non-HIV infectious disease mortality (RD: 5.6%, CI: 0.8%, 10.3%), but lower burden of HIV mortality (RD: -5.9%, CI: -10.2%, -1.6%). Relative to non-miners living in the same communities, mining workers had over twice the mortality risk (relative risk (RR): 2.09, CI: 1.57, 2.79), with particularly large increases for death due to RTIs (RR: 14.26, CI: 4.95, 41.10) and other injuries (RR:10.10, CI: 3.40, 30.02). Our results shows that gold mines continue to be associated with a large mortality burden despite major efforts to ensure the safety in mining communities. Given that most of the additional mortality risk appears to be related to injuries programs targeting these specific risks seem most desirable.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating the mortality burden of large scale mining projects—Evidence from a prospective mortality surveillance study in Tanzania

Lyatuu

Winkler

Loss

et al. 2021

PLOS Glob Public Health

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“…Studies measuring health conditions of local communities [e.g. 10 , 41 , 45 ] might have missed important aspects for the health and well-being as perceived by affected populations themselves. For example, health effects caused by cracks in the houses related to blasting and cultural dimensions of health have to our best knowledge received little attention.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health impacts of industrial mining on surrounding communities: Local perspectives from three sub-Saharan African countries

et al. 2021

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Industrial mining projects can play an important role in global sustainable development if associated health risks are minimised and opportunities maximised. While a broad body of evidence from quantitative studies exists that establishes the interlinkages between mining operations and effects on public health, little research has been conducted investigating health impacts from the perspective of affected communities. This is particularly true in sub-Saharan Africa, where about a third of the remaining global mineral resources are endowed and health-related indicators for sustainable development are lagging behind. In this multi-country qualitative study, we explore community perceptions regarding impacts of industrial mining on their health and well-being. In nine study sites in Burkina Faso, Mozambique and Tanzania, we conducted 83 participatory focus group discussions with a total of 791 participants (385 men, 406 women). Our findings reveal a broad range of perceived impacts on environmental, economic and social determinants of health, with secondary health implications related to morbidity, mortality and well-being. Overall, perceived negative impacts prevailed, mainly related to environmental pollution, change in livelihoods or social disruption. Perceived positive impacts on health and well-being were related to interventions implemented by the mines such as new or improved water sources, health care facilities, roads and schools. The consistency of these findings across countries and study sites suggests a structural problem and indicates a pressing need to address health by acting on the wider determinants of health in mining regions. Participatory health impact assessment should be strengthened in host countries to foster strategic interventions, include marginalised population groups, and protect and promote the health of local communities. By including community perspectives on health before and during project implementation, policymakers can take advantage of economic opportunities while avoiding the pitfalls, bringing their communities closer to achieving good health and well-being goals by 2030 and beyond.

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“…For example, the process of gold extraction is directly responsible for the degradation of ecosystems due to the extraction of vegetation related to mining and soil excavation [10]. The extraction and processing of gold are also important sources of hazardous chemical substances such as mercury, cyanide and arsenic compounds, which have severe impacts on biodiversity and human health [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water footprint in gold extraction: A case-study in Suárez, Cauca, Colombia

Alvarez-Pugliese

Machuca-Martínez

Pérez-Rincón

2021

Heliyon

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Gold mining pollution and the cost of private healthcare: The case of Ghana

Abstract: This study has been prepared within the UNU-WIDER project on 'Extractives for development (E4D)', which is part of a larger research project on 'Macro-economic management (M-EM)' .

Cited by 7 publications

References 15 publications

Estimating the mortality burden of large scale mining projects—Evidence from a prospective mortality surveillance study in Tanzania

Estimating the mortality burden of large scale mining projects—Evidence from a prospective mortality surveillance study in Tanzania

Health impacts of industrial mining on surrounding communities: Local perspectives from three sub-Saharan African countries

Water footprint in gold extraction: A case-study in Suárez, Cauca, Colombia

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