Assessing the Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts of Artisanal Gold Mining on the Livelihoods of Communities in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality in Ghana

Samuel Obiri, Precious A. D. Mattah, Memuna M. Mattah, Frederick A. Armah, Shiloh Osae, Sam Adu-kumi and Philip O. Yeboah
Additional contact information
Samuel Obiri: Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box AE 1, Atomic, Accra, Ghana
Precious A. D. Mattah: Directorate Academic Planning and Quality Assurance Unit, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Memuna M. Mattah: Department of Environmental and Development Studies, Central University College, P.O. Box 2305, Tema, Ghana
Frederick A. Armah: Department of Environmental Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Shiloh Osae: Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box AE 1, Atomic, Accra, Ghana
Sam Adu-kumi: Environmental Protection Agency, P.O. Box M 326, Accra, Ghana
Philip O. Yeboah: Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box AE 1, Atomic, Accra, Ghana

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: Gold mining has played an important role in Ghana’s economy, however the negative environmental and socio-economic effects on the host communities associated with gold mining have overshadowed these economic gains. It is within this context that this paper assessed in an integrated manner the environmental and socio-economic impacts of artisanal gold mining in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality from a natural and social science perspective. The natural science group collected 200 random samples on bi-weekly basis between January to October 2013 from water bodies in the study area for analysis in line with methods outlined by the American Water Works Association, while the social science team interviewed 250 residents randomly selected for interviews on socio-economic issues associated with mining. Data from the socio-economic survey was analyzed using logistic regression with SPSS version 17. The results of the natural science investigation revealed that the levels of heavy metals in water samples from the study area in most cases exceeded GS 175-1/WHO permissible guideline values, which are in tandem with the results of inhabitants’ perceptions of water quality survey (as 83% of the respondents are of the view that water bodies in the study area are polluted). This calls for cost-benefits analysis of mining before new mining leases are granted by the relevant authorities.

Keywords: heavy metal; mining impact; integrated assessment; Tarkwa Municipality; risk perception; water quality; social issues; livelihood and economic issues; artisanal gold mining (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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