Sustainable Extractivism in Ghana? Exploring the Socio-Environmental Impact of Illegal Artisanal Mining

Orientação: Irina Velicu e LYDIA OSEI

Programa de Doutoramento: Democracia no Século XXI

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) plays a vital role in rural livelihoods and poverty reduction in many developing countries, including Ghana. Globally, over 40 million people are directly engaged in ASGM, supporting more than 150 million livelihoods. Similar trends are observed in countries such as Indonesia, Peru, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the sector provides critical income opportunities, particularly in regions with limited formal employment.

In Ghana, ASGM accounts for about 35% of total gold production and directly employs between 1 and 1.5 million people, with millions more benefiting indirectly. Despite its economic importance, the sector faces significant environmental and social challenges. Informal and rudimentary mining methods-such as mercury use, open-pit mining, and poor waste management-have led to land degradation, water pollution, deforestation, and serious public health risks. Illegal mining activities, locally known as galamsey, further exacerbate these problems due to weak regulatory enforcement and limited institutional capacity.

The sector presents a sustainability dilemma: while it generates short-term economic benefits, it often undermines long-term environmental integrity and social stability. Efforts to formalize and regulate ASGM in Ghana have had limited success, largely due to persistent socio-economic pressures, governance weaknesses, and inadequate policy implementation.

The study therefore aims to examine operational practices, environmental and social impacts, and the sustainability of ASGM in Ghana, with the goal of identifying practical, evidence-based pathways toward more responsible, equitable, and sustainable mining practices.