What environmental and health problems are caused by galamsey mining in Ghana?

Galamsey, an illegal form of small-scale gold mining in Ghana, has become increasingly widespread, resulting in significant environmental and public health crises.12

The primary environmental and health impacts include:

• Chemical Contamination: Miners frequently utilize toxic substances, specifically mercury and cyanide, to extract gold. These chemicals leach into the environment, contaminating both the soil and vital bodies of water.12
• Public Health Risks: The contamination of water sources and soil directly endangers the health of the local population, as these toxins enter the ecosystem and food chain.12
• Land and Forest Degradation: Galamsey operations have caused a notable reduction in forest cover and have destroyed arable land, negatively impacting agricultural potential.2

Beyond these physical harms, the practice also results in significant economic losses for the Ghanaian government, as a large portion of the gold produced through these illegal operations is smuggled out of the country.12