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Galamsey

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Galamsey
illegal mining
CountryGhana Edit

Galamsey dey refer to illegal small-scale gold mining insyd Ghana.[1][2] Na dem derive de term from de English phrase "gather them and sell".[3] Historically, na galamsey refer to traditional small-scale mining practices insyd Ghana, wey na local communities go gather den search give gold insyd rivers den streams. However, over time, na dem take de term give a broader meaning, wey dey encompass both legal den artisanal small-scale mining (ASM).[4] Insyd Ghana, dem dey bell de people wey involve insyd dese activities galamseyers, den insyd neighbouring Francophone countries wey include Ivory Coast den Burkina Faso, dem often dey refer to dem as orpailleurs.[5] Na Ghana ein widespread illegal mining activities cause extensive destruction to de gold-rich West African country ein forests.[6][7][8]

Ein background

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Galamseyers dig small working pits, tunnels, den sluices by hand. Generally, they can dig only to a limited depth, wey be far shallower den smaller than commercial gold mining companies. Under current Ghanaian law, it be illegal give galamseyers to dig for land top granted to mining companies as concessions anaa licences. Most galamseyers either find gold insyd free metallic dust form anaa process oxide anaa sulfide gold ore wey dem use liquid mercury.[9][8]

De number of galamseyers insyd Ghana be unknown but believed to range between 20,000 den 50,000, wey include thousands from China.[10] De minister of information, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, claimed insyd May 2017 that there are now 200,000 people engaged insyd galamsey, den according to oda sources, there are nearly 3 million wey rely for it top give demma livelihoods.[10] They mostly operate insyd de southern part of Ghana, wey there are substantial reserves of gold deposits, usually within de environs of de larger mining companies. Galamsey settlements are usually poorer dan neighbouring agricultural villages. They have high rates of accidents den are exposed to mercury poisoning from demma crude processing methods. Many women are among de workers, acting mostly as porters give de miners. Insyd sam cases, galamseyers are de first to discover den work extensive gold deposits before mining companies find out den take ova.

Types of galamsey

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Broad galamsey categories Galamsey types Key resource/material use Water relation Comments
1. Alluvial 1. Washing plant Washing plant/trommel, excavator, mercury, diesel, petrol, den lubricants Operates near water bodies den requires a high volume of clean water give operation Simultaneous mining den gold extraction
2. Washing board Washing/sluice board, excavator, mercury, diesel, petrol, den lubricants Operates near water bodies den requires a high volume of clean water give operation
3. Pit dredging Pits, suction dredge, mercury, diesel, petrol, den lubricants Operates within mini-pit lakes anaa mine-out pits den requires water
4. Stream/river dredging River/stream, suction dredge, mercury, diesel, petrol, den lubricants Within water bodies plus adequate current
5. Dig and wash Pan, shovels, pickaxes, manual, sluice board, mercury Insyd wetland areas, rivers/creeks/streams banks
6. Panning (poole poole)
2. Underground mining 7. Abandoned underground shafts/tunnels Shaft, blasting, dewatering, load, den haul of ore Underground/landlocked areas Mining only
8. Sample hole/pit, or "ghetto" Manually dug-out pit, blasting, dewatering, mining
3. Millhouse 9. Mill-house operation Diesel engine (Changfa), crusher, smoothing machine, retort, mercury, hydrocarbons Landlocked areas; near de roadside, within urban centers, anaa near mining sites Processing only
4. Surface operation 10. Surface Diesel engine, mercury, retort, petrol, den lubricants Landlocked areas; either near anaa far from water bodies, sanso requires water give operation Simultaneous mining den gold extraction
5. Selection ("pilfering mining") 11. Selection (normally from large-scale or licit ASM sites) Manual selection, diesel engine, millhouse, mortar den pestle/sluice board Landlocked areas; either near anaa far from water bodies, sanso requires water for operation Mining only

Motives

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De main motive behind people wey dey engage insyd galamsey be youth unemployment den lack of job security.[11][12] Young university graduates rarely find work, den wen they do, it hardly sustains dem. De result be say dem youth go de extra mile to earn a living give demma selves den demma families.[13]

De causes of illegal gold mining include bureaucratic licensing regimes, weak legal frameworks, political den traditional leadership failures, den corrupt officials. Socioeconomic factors den de proliferation of foreign miners den mining equipment further compound de issue.[14]

Dangers

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For 13th November, 2009 top, a collapse occurred insyd an illegal, privately owned mine insyd Dompoase, located insyd de Ashanti Region. De incident claimed de lives of at least 18 workers, wey dey include 13 women, wey served as porters give de miners. Officials described de disaster as de worst mine collapse insyd Ghana at de time.[15] Insyd April 2013, a collapse occurred insyd de Central Region, killing at least 17 miners.[16] However, de 2022 Bogoso explosion, linked to de transportation of mining explosives, became de most devastating mining-related disaster insyd de nation's history, wey dey result in at least 13 deaths den ova 180 injuries.[17]

For 23rd February, 2025 top, journalist Akwasi Agyei Annim was attacked while documenting illegal mining insyd de Breman-Adomanya forest insyd Wassa Amenfi West. Despite police awareness, Chinese den Ghanaian miners have encroached on 261 acres, wey dey cause environmental destruction den dey pollute de Tano River.[18]

Environmental impact

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Illegal mining damages de land as well as water supply.[19][20] Galamsey activities have depleted Ghana's forest cover den caused water pollution, due to de crude den unregulated nature of de mining process.[21][22] Insyd March 2017, de Minister give Lands den Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu, gave galamseyers a three-week ultimatum to stop demma activities anaa be prepared to face de law.[23]

Human impact

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Illegal mining has short-den long-term detrimental impacts for human health top. Exposure to poisonous chemicals can lead to various cancers, mercury poisoning, silica-induced pneumoconiosis, den oda respiratory conditions. In addition, stagnant water insyd abandoned mining pits serves as a breeding ground give mosquitoes, wey can be vectors give various diseases.[24]

Stop Galamsey Now protest

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For 21st September, 2024 top, a local organization called Democracy Hub launched a protest aimed at pressuring de government of Ghana into enforcing measures to stop galamsey.[25] De action lasted three days, plus protesters demanding a direct den decisive intervention from President Nana Akufo-Addo, insyd de form of a presidential order to stop all illegal mining activities, particularly insyd forest reserves den along key rivers,[26] such as de Pra, Ankobra, den Birim, wey have all been polluted plus harmful chemicals like mercury den cyanide.[27] As of September 2024, 60% of Ghana's water bodies had suffered pollution due to galamsey.[28] De illegal practice has sanso led to forest degradation,[29] encouraged by de passage of Legislative Instrument L.I 2462 insyd 2022, wey permitted mining insyd forest reserves.[30]

De protests led to a total of 53 arrests,[31] wey dey include a 62-year-old woman den a 10-year-old girl.[32][33]

Reactions

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Insyd September 2024, China's ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, condemned illegal mining insyd de country den warned Chinese citizens dat de embassy will not assist those caught breaking de law.[34][35] He stressed dat China den Ghana both have de authority to enforce demma laws on each other's citizens if they engage insyd illegal activities.[36]

See also

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  • Operation Vanguard – military police joint task force against illegal mining insyd Ghana
  • Crime insyd Ghana
  • Zama zama – illegal artisanal miners insyd South Africa

References

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  1. ↑ Oxford English Dictionary. "OED definition". Oxford University Press.
  2. ↑ Danquah, David Yaw (26 June 2019). "Mining of Gold in Ghana Overview – Energy and Natural Resources – Ghana". Monday.com. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  3. ↑ Owusu-Nimo, F.; Mantey, J.; Nyarko, K. B.; Appiah-Effah, Eugene; Aubynn, A. (1 February 2018). "Spatial distribution patterns of illegal artisanal small-scale gold mining (Galamsey) operations in Ghana: A focus on the Western Region". Heliyon. 4 (2) e00534. Bibcode:2018Heliy...400534O. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00534. ISSN 2405-8440. PMC 5835009. PMID 29511743.
  4. ↑ Mantey, J.; Owusu-Nimo, F.; Nyarko, K. B.; Aubynn, A. (1 January 2017). "Operational dynamics of "Galamsey" within eleven selected districts of the western region of Ghana". Journal of Mining and Environment. 8 (1): 11–34. doi:10.22044/jme.2016.627. ISSN 2251-8592.
  5. ↑ "Orpailleur: Définition de orpailleur". cnrtl.fr. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  6. ↑ "Illegal mining threatens Ghana forests". Africanews. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  7. ↑ "Ghana's Illegal Galamsey Gold Mining Affecting Cocoa Farmers, Chocolate Supply". Science. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  8. 1 2 Campbell, Charlie (15 October 2025). "The New Gold Rush". Retrieved 1 November 2025 – via Time.com.
  9. ↑ "Galamsey: Ghana's illegal gold mining industry causes environmental destruction". bbc.com. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  10. 1 2 Burrows, Edward; Lucia Bird (30 May 2017). "Gold, guns and China: Ghana's fight to end galamsey". African Arguments. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  11. ↑ Gracia, Zindzy (31 January 2018). "Causes and effects of galamsey in Ghana". Yen.com.gh – Ghana news. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  12. ↑ Agbesi, Kelly Michael (17 May 2017). "Galamsey menace: Causes, effects, and solutions". ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  13. ↑ Kpienbaareh, Daniel; Kansanga, Moses Mosonsieyiri; Konkor, Irenius; Luginaah, Isaac (7 August 2020). "The Rise of the Fourth Estate: The Media, Environmental Policy, and the Fight against Illegal Mining in Ghana". Environmental Communication. 15 (1): 69–84. doi:10.1080/17524032.2020.1799050. ISSN 1752-4032.
  14. ↑ Ampaw, Enock Mintah; Chai, Junwu; Jiang, Yuguo; Dumor, Koffi; Edem, Amouzou Koffi (June 2023). "Why is Ghana losing the war against illegal gold mining (Galamsey)? An artificial neural network-based investigations". Environmental Science and Pollution Research International. 30 (29): 73730–73752. Bibcode:2023ESPR...3073730A. doi:10.1007/s11356-023-27265-x. ISSN 1614-7499. PMID 37195613.
  15. ↑ "Women die in Ghana mine collapse". BBC News. 12 November 2009. Retrieved 12 November 2009.
  16. ↑ Suleman, H. A.; Baffoe, P. E. (30 June 2017). "Selecting Suitable Sites for Mine Waste Dumps Using GIS Techniques at Goldfields, Damang Mine". Ghana Mining Journal. 17 (1): 9–17. doi:10.4314/gm.v17i1.2. ISSN 0855-210X.
  17. ↑ "Ghana blast: Many feared dead after huge explosion near Bogoso". BBC News. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  18. ↑ "Illegal gold miners invade Breman-Adomanya Forest, attack Citi News' Journalist Akwasi Agyei – MyJoyOnline". myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  19. ↑ "Illegal mining abound, ghost towns await – MyJoyOnline". myjoyonline.com. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  20. ↑ Ansah, Marian Efe (22 March 2017). "Galamsey, pollution destroying water bodies in Ghana – Water Company". Ghana News. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  21. ↑ Gyekye, Joyce. "MD of Ghana Water Company Limited says fight against galamsey is being lost". Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  22. ↑ "Galamsey menace: Causes, effects and solutions". GhanaWeb. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  23. ↑ Allotey, Godwin Akweiteh (29 March 2017). "Stop galamsey in 3 weeks or face the law – Amewu". Ghana News. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  24. ↑ Etefe, Juliet (8 May 2023). "Time for action – galamsey is having serious effects on our environment, and communities". The Business & Financial Times. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  25. ↑ "Three-day street protest against galamsey: when will the Catholic Church join the fight?". Catholic Trends. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  26. ↑ Moro, Salifu Bagulube (21 September 2024). ""End Galamsey now": Ghanaians hit the streets to protest against illegal mining". Yen.com.gh. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  27. ↑ Mensah, Kent (17 September 2024). "Dying rivers, dying hopes: Human cost of illegal mining devastating Ghana's future". The Africa Report. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  28. ↑ "60% of Ghana Water Bodies Polluted by Galamsey". DailyGuide Network. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  29. ↑ "Illegal small-scale mining threatens Ghana's forest reserves". voaafrica.com. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  30. ↑ "Galamsey: LI 2462 one of Ghana's backward legislations ever – Mine workers union". 12 September 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  31. ↑ "Day two of 'Say No to Galamsey demo ends with dozens arrested – MyJoyOnline". myjoyonline.com. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  32. ↑ "Scores of people arrested as scuffle ensues between Democracy Hub protesters and police – MyJoyOnline". myjoyonline.com. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  33. ↑ Eghan, Sammy Danso (22 September 2024). "Ghana Police arrest 62-year-old and 10-year-old protesters in anti-galamsey demo". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  34. ↑ Olander, Eric (19 September 2024). "[WEEK IN REVIEW] Illegal Chinese Miners in Ghana Have Been Warned". The China-Global South Project. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  35. ↑ GTonline (16 September 2024). "Combatting illegal mining: Stay away from galamsey!! ...Chinese Ambassador admonishes compatriots". Ghanaian Times. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  36. ↑ GhanaWeb (15 September 2024). "Punish Chinese illegal miners caught abusing Ghanaian laws – Chinese Ambassador Tong Defa".
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