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Diagnostic gold deportment studies and leaching behaviour of small-scale gold mining tailings from eastern region, Ghana

Quaicoe Ishmael, Beyuo Martin, Quaicoe Solomon, Lasidzi Nikao A.

Journal of Sustainable Mining

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2023

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Vol. 22. iss. 2

81--88

EN

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector employs about 80% of the mining workforce but only contributes about 20-30% of Ghana's gold production. The low gold production is linked to low recoveries associated with the activities because of inadequate understanding of the chemical, mineralogical and metallurgical characteristics of the ores. This study examined the metallurgical characteristics of typical small-scale gold mining tailings to understand their grinding characteristics, gold deportment and cyanidation behaviour. The gold deportment results showed that 96.1% of the gold in the samples is free milling (can be leached directly with cyanide and recovered through carbon adsorption), whilst the remaining 3.9% of the gold in the samples is associated/locked up with other mineral phases (carbonates, sulphides, carbonaceous matter and quartz). The gold-by-size distribution also indicated that 73.1% of the gold is contained in coarser size fractions (+150 mm), 14.96% is from -150 mm to +75 mm size range, and 11.83% is contained in the finer size distribution (-75 mm). This suggests that incorporating a gravity recovery system during processing will be highly advantageous. The leaching kinetics results showed that gold recoveries achieved within 8, 16 and 24 h were 68, 73.8 and 76.4%, respectively. The corresponding total cyanide consumption rates after 8, 16 and 24 h of leaching were 550, 580 and 600 ppm, respectively. Generally, the gold recoveries and the cyanide consumption rates agree with industrial practices/results. Overall, the outcomes of the study support the view that some small-scale gold mining tailings are economically viable, and hence can be re-processed through efficient processes such as carbon-in-leach/carbon-in-pulp.

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Socio-ecological analysis of artisanal gold mining in West Africa: a case study of Ghana

Takyi Richard, Hassan Rasha, El Mahrad Badr, Adade Richard

Journal of Sustainable Mining

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2021

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Vol. 20, iss. 3

206--219

EN

The surge in artisanal gold mining (AGM) activities and the associated environmental impact in Ghana have elicited several stakeholders' attempts to curb the problem. However, due to little understanding of the underlying issues, these efforts have been ineffective. This study aims to use a socio-ecological framework to analyze drivers of AGM activities, the environmental pressures, the state change, their impact on human welfare, and the management response as measures (DAPSI(W)R(M)) to the problem. Evaluate AGM's impact on Ghana's ability to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Data were collected from relevant literature on the subject and analyzed with the DAPSI(W) R(M) framework. Esteem needs, food, acceptance and friendship, and self-actualization are the main drivers of AGM activities leading to environmental pressures, including abrasion, extraction of living and non-living resources, the introduction of non-synthetic compounds, among others. State changes of the environment resulting from the pressures generated by human activities were changes in the land and forest cover (1.13%), topography (hills turned into flatland and undulating), and biota. Due to the state in the environment, water quality and availability, agriculture food production, fish yield, food safety, spiritual and cultural loss, death, injury, and health of gold miners and other stakeholders have been affected.

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Environmental, health and safety intricacies of artisanal mining in the gold-rich landscapes of Karamoja, north-eastern Uganda

Serwajja Eria, Mukwaya Paul Isolo

Journal of Sustainable Mining

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2021

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Vol. 20, iss. 2

90--108

EN

Artisanal small-scale gold mining presents numerous opportunities for Uganda's rural poor. However, it also poses serious environmental, health and safety challenges. A suite of data collection methods including interviews, focus groups discussions, water and soils sampling were used to examine the perceptions of miners on the status, prevalence and extent of mercury use in artisanal gold mining, mercury transit routes and toxicity levels of soils and water in Karamoja sub-region. It also explores the health, safety and environmental implications of artisanal small-scale gold mining in the sub-region. The findings show that trade and access to mercury is widespread; although trade in, access to and its use is highly secretive. Traders access mercury through a number of ways including smuggling across the porous borderline and formal, but covert, importation. Miners then discreetly access it through undercover sales in jewellery shops and in affluent gated communities in Uganda's capital, Kampala. Soil and water samples showed mercury levels that exceeded the minimum acceptable limits of 0.03 mg/kg and 0.006 mg/l respectively. Further, artisanal small-scale gold mining is associated with massive land clearances and landscape deformations. It has invariably scarred the countryside with piles of waste and uncovered pits that are a source of accidents and ideal breeding grounds for vectors.

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Socio-economic and environmental impact of mining on women in Kasigau mining zone in Taita Taveta County

Mwakumanya M. A., Maghenda M. M., Juma H.

Journal of Sustainable Mining

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2016

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Vol. 15, iss. 4

197--204

EN

The Kasigau ward is home to many gemstones with their mining contributing to the county's economic development. The mining sector is dominated by artisanal and small scale mining with 3e5% of women employed. A Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach was used to involve women with the aim of establishing home-grown interventions. Seven villages and forty nine households participated in household interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and female feedback reflection meetings to generate and analyze data. Women worked as zururas (workers) or employees, in deplorable environmental conditions, and were heavily impacted by mining activities. Women developed actionable strategies on productive engagement in the artisanal mining sector.