Assessing the social impacts of illegal Gold mining activities at Dunkwa-On-Offin
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Date
2021-06-29
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Abstract
Mining activities are undertaken in many parts of the world where mineral deposits are
found. In developing nations such as Ghana, the activity is done both legally and
illegally, often with very little or no supervision, hence much damage is done to the water
bodies where the activities are carried out. This study sought to assess the social impacts
of illegal gold mining activities at Dunkwa-On-Offin, the capital town of Upper Denkyira
East Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. The main objectives of the research
are to identify factors that trigger illegal mining; to identify social effects of illegal gold
mining activities on inhabitants of Dunkwa-on-Offin; and to suggest effective ways in
curbing illegal mining activities. Based on the approach to data collection, this study
adopts both the quantitative and qualitative approach. On the other hand, based on the
approach to data analysis, this approach. Out of three hundred and eighty (380)
questionnaires administered, three hundred and forty-four (344) were retuned. Of the
three hundred and forty-four (344) returned, twenty four were rejected because they were
not filled out properly. In the end, three hundred and twenty (320) questionnaires were
analysed. The result of the analysis, using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
(SPSS), revealed that factors such as poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and peer
influence triggered illegal gold mining. The social effects of illegal gold mining included
increase in cost of living, increase in the rate of crime, increase in the rate of illiteracy,
increase cases of ailments and increase in the population of residents in Dunkwa-onOffin. Last but not the least, the proposed ways for curbing illegal gold mining included
the implementing policies to regulate the small-scale mining sector, creation of
alternative employment opportunities such as agriculture, impose sanctions aimed at
deterring illegal mining, provision of training and technical support on how to mine
properly, formation of a community-based task force to monitor illegal mining activities,
prosecute chiefs who offer lands to illegal miners and provide financial reward to whistle
blowers within illegal mining activities. In view of the above findings, it is recommended
that other than cautioning chiefs against issuing out lands to people suspected to engage
in illegal gold mining, government should establish district courts in the various mining
communities to prosecute illegal gold miners including chiefs to deter others from
venturing into this unlawful practice.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Building Technology, College of Art and Built
Environment in partial fulfilment of the requirement for a Degree of
Master of Science.
Keywords
Impact, Effect, Dunkwa-On-Offin, Illegal