title: Assessing the Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts of Artisanal Gold Mining on the Livelihoods of Communities in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality in Ghana.
abstract: Gold mining has played an important role in Ghana's economy, however the negative environmental and socio-economic effects on the host communities associated with gold mining have overshadowed these economic gains. It is within this context that this paper assessed in an integrated manner the environmental and socio-economic impacts of artisanal gold mining in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality from a natural and social science perspective. The natural science group collected 200 random samples on bi-weekly basis between January to October 2013 from water bodies in the study area for analysis in line with methods outlined by the American Water Works Association, while the social science team interviewed 250 residents randomly selected for interviews on socio-economic issues associated with mining. Data from the socio-economic survey was analyzed using logistic regression with SPSS version 17. The results of the natural science investigation revealed that the levels of heavy metals in water samples from the study area in most cases exceeded GS 175-1/WHO permissible guideline values, which are in tandem with the results of inhabitants' perceptions of water quality survey (as 83% of the respondents are of the view that water bodies in the study area are polluted). This calls for cost-benefits analysis of mining before new mining leases are granted by the relevant authorities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box AE 1, Atomic, Accra, Ghana. obirisamuel@gmail.com.|Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis, P.O. Box AD 738, Cape Coast, Ghana. obirisamuel@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Obiri
authors.affiliation: Directorate Academic Planning and Quality Assurance Unit, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. pmattah@ucc.edu.gh.
authors.forename: Precious A D
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Mattah
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Development Studies, Central University College, P.O. Box 2305, Tema, Ghana. mbmattah@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Memuna M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mattah
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. farmah@ucc.edu.gh.
authors.forename: Frederick A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Armah
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box AE 1, Atomic, Accra, Ghana. s.osae@gaecgh.org.
authors.forename: Shiloh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Osae
authors.affiliation: Environmental Protection Agency, P.O. Box M 326, Accra, Ghana. adukumisam@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adu-kumi
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box AE 1, Atomic, Accra, Ghana. poyeboah47@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Philip O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Yeboah
mesh_terms: D060766:Drinking Water; D004777:Environment; D005869:Ghana; D006046:Gold; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D008906:Mining; D045483:Rivers; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D060753:Water Quality
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D006046:Gold
keywords: Tarkwa Municipality; artisanal gold mining; heavy metal; integrated assessment; livelihood and economic issues; mining impact; risk perception; social issues; water quality
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