At an unlicensed gold mine in Ghana’s Prestea-Huni Valley district, men wade through muddy waters, working without proper safety equipment. They handle rocks and makeshift machinery in search of gold, driven by the booming illegal “galamsey” industry amid rising gold prices, despite severe costs.
The rapid expansion of unregulated gold mining provides livelihoods but brings significant hazards, such as health risks, pollution, and deforestation. A 24-year-old student involved in the practice said financial desperation led him to join after his father’s death.
At these mines, flimsy protective measures, like plastic bags as head coverings, reveal the danger. Yet, with global gold prices rising 30%, many miners remain undeterred by the perilous working conditions.
Small-scale mines, mostly unlicensed, produced 1.2 million ounces of gold in just seven months this year, outpacing last year’s total. Around 40% of Ghana’s gold output comes from these small-scale operations, though much is smuggled abroad, according to the Minerals Commission.
While the surge in gold prices could benefit Ghana’s economy, experts warn that the lines between legal and illegal mining are increasingly blurred. Martin Ayisi, head of the Minerals Commission, noted that galamsey gold does not contribute to national export revenues.
The environmental and human toll of galamsey is staggering. Collapsing pits have claimed lives, and toxic exposure is causing pulmonary diseases. Mercury and heavy metals have contaminated about 65% of Ghana’s water sources, while forests and cocoa farms are being destroyed.
Protests in Accra have erupted recently, with demonstrators criticizing the government’s inaction on illegal mining. Citizens are demanding swift efforts to end the destruction caused by galamsey.
Despite government crackdowns and promises to formalize the sector, experts say organized crime continues to fuel galamsey. Criminal groups fund miners in exchange for cheap gold, and the illegal industry has led to increased gun trafficking. Authorities are reportedly working to combat these criminal networks.