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Illicit Chinese Small-Scale Mining in Ghana: Beyond Institutional Weakness?

Author

Listed:
  • James Boafo

    (School of Social Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia)

  • Sebastian Angzoorokuu Paalo

    (School of Political Science and International Studies, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia)

  • Senyo Dotsey

    (Social Sciences, Gran Sasso Science Institute, 67100 L’Aquila (AQ), Italy)

Abstract

While the engagement of Chinese migrants in small-scale mining in Ghana has gained traction in scholarship, the extant literature pays little attention to how the relationship between the so-called formal institutions (e.g., the Minerals Commission and Ministry of Land and Natural Resources) and informal institutions (e.g., the chieftaincy and customary land institutions) enables illegalities in the mining industry. This paper addresses this gap in the literature, focusing on the relationship between formal state and informal customary land institutions in the small-scale mining sector. Using an institutional analytical framework, we argue that the increasing involvement of the Chinese in small-scale mining in Ghana is an expression of a bigger and deep-seated problem characterized largely by uncoordinated interactions between key state and customary institutions. This, we suggest, creates parallel operations of formal and informal systems that promote different levels of agency and maneuvering among actors―breeding uncertainty, bureaucratic logjams, and illegalities in the mining industry. Based on our findings, we recommend that a more efficient coordination between the relevant state and traditional land governing institutions could curb the proliferation of illegal mining activities, and in particular, those involving Chinese migrants. As part of the conclusion, we suggest that future empirical research be conducted to explore the interactions between formal and informal institutions and how they affect mining activities.

Suggested Citation

  • James Boafo & Sebastian Angzoorokuu Paalo & Senyo Dotsey, 2019. "Illicit Chinese Small-Scale Mining in Ghana: Beyond Institutional Weakness?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-18, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:21:p:5943-:d:280333
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Banchirigah, Sadia Mohammed, 2008. "Challenges with eradicating illegal mining in Ghana: A perspective from the grassroots," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 29-38, March.
    2. Vivien Foster & William Butterfield & Chuan Chen & Nataliya Pushak, 2009. "Building Bridges : China's Growing Role as Infrastructure Financier for Sub-Saharan Africa," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 2614.
    3. Isaac Ibrahim, 2017. "Impact of Sino-Africa Economic Relations on the Ghanaian Economy: The Case of Textiles," International Journal of Innovation and Economic Development, Inovatus Services Ltd., vol. 3(1), pages 7-27, April.
    4. Hausermann, Heidi & Ferring, David & Atosona, Bernadette & Mentz, Graciela & Amankwah, Richard & Chang, Augustus & Hartfield, Kyle & Effah, Emmanuel & Asuamah, Grace Yeboah & Mansell, Coryanne & Sastr, 2018. "Land-grabbing, land-use transformation and social differentiation: Deconstructing “small-scale” in Ghana's recent gold rush," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 103-114.
    5. Gavin Hilson & Clive Potter, 2003. "Why Is Illegal Gold Mining Activity so Ubiquitous in Rural Ghana?," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 15(2‐3), pages 237-270.
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    6. Eberhard, Erich K. & Hicks, Jessica & Simon, Adam C. & Arbic, Brian K., 2022. "Livelihood considerations in land-use decision-making: Cocoa and mining in Ghana," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 26(C).

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