Environmental impacts of mining and mineral processing are serious issues facing the world. This further confirms the finding by [32], that many areas disturbed by mining in Ghana are highly susceptible to erosion due to lack of existing vegetation, the presence of fine, dispersed particles and steep slopes, and forming huge gullies and pits. This can pose other problems, too — like the air pollution Mensah AK (2015) Role of revegetation in restoring fertility of degraded mined soils in Ghana: A review. Also, some contributory factors to the persistent environmental degradation in the study area are briefly discussed. Stockpiling has been found to decrease soil aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Recently, however, the process has taken as long as two years [9]. It also ensures compliance with the mining and mineral law and regulation. The environmental impacts of mining activities are discussed based on their implications on various aspects of environmental resources, namely: impacts on water quality, ecosystem/loss of vegetation, soil quality, and on the land resource. Traore PA (1997) Strategies for development of small/medium scale mines in Africa. He further added that they incur a cost of as much as 12,000 Ghana Cedis (equivalent of 3,500 USD) in drilling, laying pipes to tap the groundwater as well as putting up the POLYTANK for water storage and supply. Residents in Prestea have therefore resorted to use of groundwater. Mining, independent of the scale and method of operation, results in substantial damage to the landscape if appropriate regulations are not put in place and enforced rigorously. This has become increasingly alarming, raising serious concerns among key stakeholders. As such, consideration for future generations with respect to adhering to strict environmental regulations is secondary to them. Before 1989, small-scale mining was considered illegal in Ghana and was highly unregulated. Armah FA, Gyeabour EK (2013) Health Risks to Children and Adults Residing in Riverine Environments where Surficial Sediments Contain Metals Generated by Active Gold Mining in Ghana 29(1): 69-79. Many of these rivers have been heavily polluted due to mining, especially those of illegal small-scale mining. This agrees with [9], who found out that in 12 mining communities around the Tarkwa municipality of Ghana who are involved in illegal mining, these illegal miners complained that the process for acquiring licenses is rather cumbersome, long and frustrating. The government and private Ghanaian investors account for less than 15% of the shares in the mines [3]. Assessment GFR (2005) Progress Towards Sustainable Forest Management," Forestry Paper, 147. Hi, I'm Hugh, and my mission with Get Green Now is to raise awareness of environmental issues and teach people how to live sustainably. Study prepared for the Minerals Commission. These mining operations remove the soil and rock above coal deposits, or seams. It is against this background that this paper assesses the environmental impacts of mining activities in mining communities in Ghana with particular reference to the current situation at Prestea. Government Printer, Accra, Ghana. the mine for work to continue. Communities such as Bondaye, Himan, Ankobra, Asoampa, Bola Ekyir, Ash Town, Nankaba, Dagaatse Compound and Anfegya were selected for the survey. However, the main minerals produced by large-scale companies are gold, diamond, bauxite and manganese; while industrial minerals such as kaolin, limestone and silica sand are mainly produced by small-scale operators. Journal of Cleaner Production 11(2): 215-221. This inevitably leads to pending food insecurity in most parts of Ghana, in the long term. In 2014, it made up about 5% of all American mining operations — and has less of an impact on the surface. One respondent in an interview revealed that they drill as deep as 80m underground just to reach water that is free from contaminations. Fortunately, the environmental impact of that process can be somewhat balanced out by post-mining rehabilitation, efficient recycling, and generally reducing our consumption. Area 38(2): 175-185. Consequently, new minerals and mining laws were enacted and the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency and Minerals Commission were instituted to provide guidelines and regulatory framework for this sector. individuals and governments push them to comply with higher standards into the Columbia River. Results from the field … impact of mining on the environment The impact of mining is leading to the major issues, like a threat to the entire environment and also damaging the health of all life on Earth. For me, I will say the EPA is sleeping with the mining companies.”. MSc Thesis, International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics, Lund University, Sweden. The amendments focused on revising the corporate tax and royalty rates and limiting the duration for mining lease. sites. There is need to establish environmental oversight groups with a singular mandate of protecting the environment in mining communities as a local initiative and a bottom-up approach in getting community members engaged in environmental governance. 1 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF MINING The scale and nature of contemporary mining activities invariably leads to changes in the surrounding environment. directly addressed. It administers the Mining Act, making mineral policy recommendations, promoting mineral developments in the country and advising government on mineral related issues. Currently, there are about seventeen (17) large-scale mining companies and three hundred (300) registered small-scale mining groups involved in mining exploration in Ghana. There is need to create environmental awareness campaigns and/or education in various mining communities as a means of ensuring sound and sustainable use of the environment in the face of on-going mining activities. waterways, meaning the site will likely require further rehabilitation. When crushed, these rocks expose radioactive elements, asbestos-like minerals, and metallic dust. ". Majority of the people are engaged in petty trading which includes selling food stuffs, stationery, confectionery and clothing. Concerning impacts on the ecosystem, the study found out that greater proportion of the land area have been rendered bare due to mining activities. In addition, these authors also reported that the tailings dam of one mine has taken a total of 6.3 Ha of land. Similar research findings by [9] found that community members in this area have not participated in mineral resource governance, which situation, they added could potentially stimulate conflict between communities and civil society on one hand, and the corporations and government on the other hand. new vegetation from growing. company that owns the mine invested in a remediation wall to prevent these This is a threat to their economy and livelihoods. Mensah, Albert K., et al. By some estimates, it makes up nearly 45% of the total global economy, and mineral production continues to increase as demand for raw materials grows around the world. Waterways, meaning the site become more sustainable in the surrounding environment mined soils in for... Of partially decomposed organic matter that accumulate on the mining process either mines or any of various functions! Resulting from leakage of chemicals can also affect the health of the soil revenue value... 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