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Governance challenges of small-scale gold mining in Ghana: Insights from a process net-map study

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  • Adu-Baffour, Ferdinand
  • Daum, Thomas
  • Birner, Regina

Abstract

The artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) sector – commonly described as low-tech, labor-intensive mineral extraction and processing, in developing countries, is increasingly associated with the use of heavy earth moving machines and hazardous chemicals for ore extraction, which can have negative implications on agricultural land use and the environment. Moreover, land reclamation, or the lack thereof, associated with ASM is a rising concern. Despite the potentially far-reaching effects of informal ASM operations on the environment and human health, the legal framework for ASM, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries, is not well implemented. Focusing on Ghana as a study case, this paper explores the factors that hinder the implementation of its legal framework for mining. A combination of qualitative explorative methods was applied, including an innovative tool called “Process Net-Map”, a visual participatory mapping technique. The results help to explain the governance challenges of the ASM sector, enabling identification of policy reform options to address them. The findings exposed outdated legislature, which fails to capture the ever-growing complexities of the subsector’s operations, as a major bottleneck. Hurdles associated with formal licensing bureaucracies and fees, land tenure, compliance monitoring, and ineffective collaboration of relevant stakeholders with and at the local level were identified as hindering the implementation of the existing legal framework. These bottlenecks must be addressed. Moreover, we recommend the adoption of collaborative governance systems, like co-management, which has been successfully implemented in other disciplines, in the ASM sector to ensure sustainability.

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  • Adu-Baffour, Ferdinand & Daum, Thomas & Birner, Regina, 2021. "Governance challenges of small-scale gold mining in Ghana: Insights from a process net-map study," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:102:y:2021:i:c:s0264837720326090
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.105271
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    4. Díez-Echavarría, Luisa & Villegas-Palacio, Clara & Arango-Aramburo, Santiago & Ezzine-de-Blas, Driss, 2023. "Decoupling in governance: the land governance network in a region of the Colombian Andes," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
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    8. Royke Lumowa & Suyud Warno Utomo & Tri Edhi Budhi Soesilo & Hariyadi Hariyadi, 2022. "Promote Social Order to Achieve Social and Ecological Justice for Communities to Prevent Illegal Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-17, August.
    9. Itohan Otoijamun & Moses Kigozi & Sikiru Ottan Abdulraman & Adelana Rasak Adetunji & Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, 2021. "Fostering the Sustainability of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) of Barite in Nasarawa State, Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-23, May.
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    11. Wireko-Gyebi, Rejoice Selorm & Asibey, Michael Osei & Baah-Ennumh, Theresa Yaaba, 2022. "Planning for the effective and sustainable management of Ghana’s artisanal small-scale gold mining industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    12. Oppong Ntiri, Richard & Appiah-Boateng, Sabina & Koomson, Frederick, 2023. "Beyond the numbers: Group formation in the artisanal and small-scale mining in Ghana," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 32(C).
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