Developing an Improved Strategy for Addressing Environmental Issues Caused by Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (Asm) in Ghana

30 Pages Posted: 15 Mar 2023

See all articles by Peter Donkor

Peter Donkor

Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)

Ebenezer K. Siabi

University of Energy & Natural Resources; Earth Observation Research and Innovation Center

Samuel Kofi Mensah

Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)

Kwasi Frimpong

Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)

Elikplim Sarah Siabi

University of Energy & Natural Resources

Christopher Vuu

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss the environmental issues associated with Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) undertakings in Ghana and propose environmental measures to mitigate their effects. Despite providing rural and less developed sections of Ghana's citizens with job benefits and increased mineral wealth and foreign exchange revenues, ASM activities have caused serious environmental degradation which includes, inter alia; deforestation and land degradation, persistent water, soil and air pollution and/or contamination through the use of mercury (Hg), etc. To address these issues, it is suggested that the Government of Ghana collaborate with not-for-profit organizations and international bodies to provide ASM workers with better educational, financial, and economic resources to meet SDGs 8, 12 and 15 for decent Work and Economic Growth, responsible Consumption and Production, and life on Land respectively.

Keywords: Ghana, Artisanal and Small-scale Mining, Large scale Mining, environmental degradation, Policy, Government of Ghana

Suggested Citation

Donkor, Peter and Siabi, Ebenezer K. and Mensah, Samuel Kofi and Frimpong, Kwasi and Siabi, Elikplim Sarah and Vuu, Christopher, Developing an Improved Strategy for Addressing Environmental Issues Caused by Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (Asm) in Ghana. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4389593 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4389593

Peter Donkor (Contact Author)

Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) ( email )

Ebenezer K. Siabi

University of Energy & Natural Resources ( email )

Earth Observation Research and Innovation Center

P. O. Box 214
Sunyani
Sunyani, 00233
Ghana

Samuel Kofi Mensah

Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) ( email )

Kwasi Frimpong

Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) ( email )

Elikplim Sarah Siabi

University of Energy & Natural Resources ( email )

Christopher Vuu

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology ( email )

Department of Biochemistry and Biotiotechnology
KNUST
Kumasi, 233
Ghana

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
46
Abstract Views
105
PlumX Metrics