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An Integrated Assessment Approach to Address Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Niladri Basu

    (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, 21, 111 Lakeshore Rd., Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
    Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Elisha P. Renne

    (Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, 101 West Hall, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
    Department of Afro-American and African Studies, University of Michigan, 4700 Haven Hall, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Rachel N. Long

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is growing in many regions of the world including Ghana. The problems in these communities are complex and multi-faceted. To help increase understanding of such problems, and to enable consensus-building and effective translation of scientific findings to stakeholders, help inform policies, and ultimately improve decision making, we utilized an Integrated Assessment approach to study artisanal and small-scale gold mining activities in Ghana. Though Integrated Assessments have been used in the fields of environmental science and sustainable development, their use in addressing specific matter in public health, and in particular, environmental and occupational health is quite limited despite their many benefits. The aim of the current paper was to describe specific activities undertaken and how they were organized, and the outputs and outcomes of our activity. In brief, three disciplinary workgroups (Natural Sciences, Human Health, Social Sciences and Economics) were formed, with 26 researchers from a range of Ghanaian institutions plus international experts. The workgroups conducted activities in order to address the following question: What are the causes, consequences and correctives of small-scale gold mining in Ghana? More specifically: What alternatives are available in resource-limited settings in Ghana that allow for gold-mining to occur in a manner that maintains ecological health and human health without hindering near- and long-term economic prosperity? Several response options were identified and evaluated, and are currently being disseminated to various stakeholders within Ghana and internationally.

Suggested Citation

  • Niladri Basu & Elisha P. Renne & Rachel N. Long, 2015. "An Integrated Assessment Approach to Address Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:9:p:11683-11698:d:55908
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mozhgon Rajaee & Samuel Obiri & Allyson Green & Rachel Long & Samuel J. Cobbina & Vincent Nartey & David Buck & Edward Antwi & Niladri Basu, 2015. "Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana—Part 2: Natural Sciences Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-41, July.
    2. Tschakert, Petra, 2009. "Recognizing and nurturing artisanal mining as a viable livelihood," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(1-2), pages 24-31.
    3. Benedict N. L. Calys-Tagoe & Lauretta Ovadje & Edith Clarke & Niladri Basu & Thomas Robins, 2015. "Injury Profiles Associated with Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Tarkwa, Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-16, July.
    4. Allyson Green & Andrew D. Jones & Kan Sun & Richard L. Neitzel, 2015. "The Association between Noise, Cortisol and Heart Rate in a Small-Scale Gold Mining Community—A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-15, August.
    5. Nesta Bortey-Sam & Shouta M. M. Nakayama & Osei Akoto & Yoshinori Ikenaka & Julius N. Fobil & Elvis Baidoo & Hazuki Mizukawa & Mayumi Ishizuka, 2015. "Accumulation of Heavy Metals and Metalloid in Foodstuffs from Agricultural Soils around Tarkwa Area in Ghana, and Associated Human Health Risks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-17, July.
    6. Rachel N. Long & Kan Sun & Richard L. Neitzel, 2015. "Injury Risk Factors in a Small-Scale Gold Mining Community in Ghana’s Upper East Region," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-18, July.
    7. Mark L. Wilson & Elisha Renne & Carla Roncoli & Peter Agyei-Baffour & Emmanuel Yamoah Tenkorang, 2015. "Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana — Part 3: Social Sciences and Economics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-24, July.
    8. Katie Lund & Keely Dinse & John Callewaert & Donald Scavia, 2011. "Benefits of using Integrated Assessment to address sustainability challenges," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 1(4), pages 289-295, December.
    9. Mozhgon Rajaee & Rachel N. Long & Elisha P. Renne & Niladri Basu, 2015. "Mercury Exposure Assessment and Spatial Distribution in A Ghanaian Small-Scale Gold Mining Community," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-28, September.
    10. Mozhgon Rajaee & Brisa N. Sánchez & Elisha P. Renne & Niladri Basu, 2015. "An Investigation of Organic and Inorganic Mercury Exposure and Blood Pressure in a Small-Scale Gold Mining Community in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-19, August.
    11. Samuel J. Cobbina & Abudu B. Duwiejuah & Reginald Quansah & Samuel Obiri & Noel Bakobie, 2015. "Comparative Assessment of Heavy Metals in Drinking Water Sources in Two Small-Scale Mining Communities in Northern Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-15, August.
    12. E. Kyeremateng-Amoah & Edith E. Clarke, 2015. "Injuries among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-11, September.
    13. Hilson, Gavin, 2002. "Harvesting mineral riches: 1000 years of gold mining in Ghana," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 28(1-2), pages 13-26.
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    4. Satomi Kimijima & Masayuki Sakakibara & Masahiko Nagai & Nurfitri Abdul Gafur, 2021. "Time-Series Assessment of Camp-Type Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Sectors with Large Influxes of Miners Using LANDSAT Imagery," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-14, September.
    5. Elbel, Johanna & Bose O'Reilly, Stephan & Hrzic, Rok, 2023. "A European Union corporate due diligence act for whom? Considerations about the impact of a European Union due diligence act on artisanal and small-scale cobalt miners in the Democratic Republic of Co," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    6. Satomi Kimijima & Masayuki Sakakibara & Masahiko Nagai, 2021. "Detection of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Activities and Their Transformation Using Earth Observation, Nighttime Light, and Precipitation Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-12, October.

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