The Republic of GhanaArtisanal andSmall ScaleMiningHandbookfor Ghanawith a regionalperspective
ASM Handbook for GhanaTHE REPUBLIC OF GHANAMinistry of Lands and Natural ResourcesArtisanal and Small-ScaleMining Handbook for GhanaPrepared by theGeological Survey of Denmark and GreenlandOctober 2017
2ASM Handbook for GhanaThe Pan-African Support to the EuroGeoSurveys-Organisation of African Geological Surveys Partnership, abbreviated to PanAfGeo, is a project which supports training of geoscientific staff from African Geological Surveysthrough the development of an innovative training program. This specific training program, conducted byworld-class geoscientific experts from Africa and Europe, includes the acquisition and development of importantprofessional skills that complement geoscientific staff members’ technical qualifications.The PanAfGeo project allows trainees to acquire a state-of-the-art geoscientific tool kit, to learn new and relevant research methods on geology, and to take part in field trips covering eight geoscientific domains.This Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Handbook for Ghana is the result of a training session held inGhana in September 2017 through the sub-program on ASM under the overall PanAfGeo project.The ASM sub-program is co-funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General of Development andInternational Cooperation (DG-DEVCO), the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) and the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS).GEUS, acting as the editor of this ASM Handbook for Ghana, is solely responsible for all results and conclusionspresented, which do not necessarily reflect the positions of DG-DEVCO and IGF.This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form, for educational or non-profit purposes,without special permission from the copyright holder, provided that acknowledgement of the source is made. Itis recommended that the publication be cited as follows:Tychsen, J; Boamah, D; Ahadjie, J; Sandow Ali, M; Alidu, S; Awuah, P; Quaicoe, I; Amankwah, R; Fobil, J; Nyame,F; Davis, E (2017), “ASM Handbook for Ghana” Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Copenhagen, Denmark, 160 pp.GEUS would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this publication as a source. No use of thisbook may be made for resale or for any other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission in writing from GEUS.This project has been Co-funded by the European Union (EU) under Grant Agreement No. DCI-PANAF/2016/376-555 and by the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF).Disclaimer: The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of GEUS and can in no way be taken toreflect the views of the EU.Editor: Mr. John Tychsen, GEUS.Text Editor: Ms. Julie Sophie Hübertz, Freelancer.Layout and DTP: Mr. Henrik Klinge Pedersen, GEUS.Print: Inkit Limited, Accra-Newtown, Ghana.ISBN 978-87-7871-481-7 Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), 2017The Danish Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate10 Oester VoldgadeDK-1350 CopenhagenDenmark
ASM Handbook for Ghana3ContentsABBREVIATIONSFOREWORDS6.Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .EU Delegation to Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) . . . . . . .ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.99121315INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16OBLIGATIONS OF THE GHANA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AUTHORITY.Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ghana Geological Survey Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .OBLIGATIONS OF THE MINERALS COMMISSION1717172020Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20VisionS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21MissionS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Organisational Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.MandateS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .OBLIGATIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.Classification of an ASM Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Requirements of an ASM Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Obligations of an ASM Operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ASM Permitting Process and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Technical Support to be Provided by the EPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Suspension, Cancellation or Revocation of Permit and Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Offences and Penalty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BASIC GEOLOGY – A GUIDE TO DISCOVER MINERAL DEPOSITS.Understanding the Earth’s Processes in Forming Rock and Mineral Deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .How to Identify Interesting Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .How Do Minerals Frequently Exploited by ASM Operators in Ghana Occur? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .How to Follow-Up on a Promising Mineral Discovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22222223232424242727313539GUIDELINES FOR ACQUIRING AN ASM LICENSE IN GHANA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43Procedure for Acquiring an ASM License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43Guidelines for the Preparation of Mining Operating Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Obligations of the ASM License Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
4ASM Handbook for GhanaPayment of Royalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Transfer of License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Revocation of License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Other Offences and Penalties under the Minerals and Mining Legal Regime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ORGANISING AND DEVELOPING AN ASM MINING SITE.Satisfying Statutory Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mine Planning and Designing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Key Factors for Consideration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mine Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mine Exploitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49494949555555565861MINERALS PROCESSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67Gold Mining Minerals Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68Diamonds Mining Minerals Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79Salt Mining Minerals Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79Waste Disposal and Management in ASM Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES IN ASM IN GHANA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83Environmental Pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83Health Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84Scale and Impact of ASM Activities in Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84Accidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89Injuries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN ASM IN GHANA9393Specific Impacts of ASM Activities on the Environment in Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98Some Challenges of Mitigating ASM Environmental Impacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102.ASM and the Environment in Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF ASM IN GHANA.Demographic Profile of People Engaged in ASM Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Features of ASM Activities in Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Socio-Cultural Practices and Dynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Major Socio-Economic Aspects of ASM in Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .FINANCING AND BUSINESS PLANNING FOR ASM IN GHANA105105106107109117117Costing and Buying for an ASM Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120An ASM Business Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123Available Organisational Structures of an ASM Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124Available Financing Options for an ASM Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126Cash Management and Record Keeping for ASM Businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128.Marketing and Selling Mining Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ASM Handbook for GhanaASM SECTOR OF THE GAMBIA5.Legal and Institutional Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mining Sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Main Challenges of ASM in The Gambia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ASM SECTOR OF LIBERIA.Results Achieved to Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129129129130132133ASM SECTOR OF NIGERIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134Challenges of ASM Sector in Nigeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135The Role of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency in the ASM Sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136ASM SECTOR OF SIERRA LEONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138Legal and Institutional Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139Environmental and Social Problems of ASM Operations in Sierra Leone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139REFERENCES.APPENDIX A – ASM LICENSE FORMS AND CERTIFICATES.143145
UNDPWP3Artisanal and Small-Scale MiningChief Executive OfficerDirectorate-General of Development and International CooperationEnvironmental Impact AssessmentEnvironmental Impact StatementEnvironmental Protection AgencyEconomic Recovery ProgrammeEuropean UnionGeological Survey of Denmark and GreenlandGhana Geological Survey AuthorityDeutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale ZusammenarbeitGeological Survey DepartmentIntergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals,Metals and Sustainable DevelopmentMinistry of Lands, Mines, and EnergyMining Operating PlanMining Policy FrameworkOffice of the Administrator of Stool LandsPan-African Support to the EuroGeoSurveysOrganisation of African Geological Surveys PartnershipPreliminary Environmental ReportSustainable Development GoalsSpecific GravityUniversity of Mines and TechnologyUnited NationsUnited Nations Conference on Trade and DevelopmentUnited Nations Development ProgrammeWork Package 3Source: John Tychsen, GEUS.ASM Handbook for Ghana6
Artisanal mining operation, north of Tarkwa, Western Ghana.
Woman collecting water for the household atriver near the mining site. Central Ghana.
9FOREWORDSMinistry of Lands and Natural Resources, GhanaBy H.E. John-Peter Amewu, Minister of Lands and Natural ResourcesThis ASM Handbook has been developed by technical expertsand advisors from African and European Geological Surveys,Universities in Ghana, the Minerals Commission of Ghana, andthe Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana in close collaboration with the Ghana Geological Survey Authority under theMinistry of Lands and Natural Resources of Ghana. It is theoutcome of a training programme, held under the auspices ofPanAfGeo WP3 in Accra, Ghana, from 18th to 21st September2017. The primary objective of this training was to upgrade theknowledge of geoscientific staff from African Geological Surveys through adoption of innovative techniques, including acquisition of relevant professional skills and tools, to helpmitigate or minimise the increasingly negative socio-economicand environmental impacts of ASM activities but also to identify ways to maximise benefitsof ASM activities. This ASM Handbook for Ghana, therefore, comes at a very opportunetime when the Government of Ghana has invested huge resources, political and socioeconomic capital, to arrest the distressingly disastrous effects of ASM activities in the country.The Handbook begins with basic but useful information on the role that the newly established Ghana Geological Survey Authority formerly Ghana Geological Survey Department,could play in the ASM sector, especially given the sector’s significance as a vehicle forpoverty reduction, opportunities for employment, income generation and creation of varied livelihood options and alternatives to rainfed or weather-dependent subsistence agriculture for many unskilled people in rural and mineral-rich areas in the country. In thiscontext, aspects such as making geological information available and delineating mineralised zones prior to licence acquisition and/or exploitation of ore by miners are all brieflyhighlighted. In addition, the need for miners to undergo periodic training in basic geology,the search for mineral deposits, surveying and how to effectively and efficiently extract andprocess ore material is also indicated.The Handbook continues with information on the obligations of the Minerals Commissionand Environmental Protection Agency, the former on guidelines for acquiring an ASM license and applicable regulating procedures, and the latter on environmental permits, impacts and monitoring of ASM activities in Ghana.Other important components of the Handbook include organising and developing anASM mining site, processing of minerals, health, safety and environmental issues andbusiness planning for ASM in Ghana.Source: Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.Source: John Tychsen, GEUS.ASM Handbook for Ghana
ASM Handbook for GhanaAs Sector Minister, I am not only convinced of the Handbook’s launch as timely and worthwhile for all stakeholders in the ASM sector, including ASM practitioners, but I am of thestrong view that it will serve to galvanise widespread support in the fight against illegalASM activities in the country. I do, therefore, offer the unwavering support of the Ministryof Lands and Natural Resources towards the many policy-oriented objectives as laid outin the Handbook, all aimed at ensuring that ASM activities are carried out in a socio-economically sound and environmental friendly manner through the adoption of international best practices. It is my hope that this handbook will serve as a very useful tool to theASM sector in Ghana.Hon. John Peter AmewuMinister, Ministry of Lands and Natural ResourcesSource: John Tychsen, GEUS.10
Small resting place providing shadow at a mining site, central Ghana.
12ASM Handbook for GhanaEU Delegation to GhanaBy H.E. Ambassador William Hanna, Head of EU Delegation to GhanaSome developing countries have succeeded in transformingtheir natural resources into assets for positive change, but formany this abundance of riches has been a curse, and naturalwealth has not led to economic and human development of thecountry and its people.At the highest political and managerial levels in both Europeand
2 ASM Handbook for Ghana The Pan-African Support to the EuroGeoSurveys-Organisation of African Geological Surveys Partnership, abbrev-iated to PanAfGeo, is a project which supports training of geoscienti\c staff from African Geological Surveys
Jul 11, 2011 · scale mining sector, and the majority of gold mining in the country is carried out by artisanal and small-scale miners. Artisanal mining activities in Nigeria are almost by definition informal – that is, operating outside current laws and regulations. Whil
The Commercially Viable Conflict-Free Gold (CVCFG) Project, an artisanal mining initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aims to establish a conflict-free artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) gold supply chain origina
80-86 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8NH, UK Tel: 44 (0)20 3463 7399 Fax: 44 (0)20 3514 9055 . This project was made possible with the generous support of The Tiffany & Co. . and diamond dominate the sector Tanzania is endowed with a variety of other minerals. The mining sector involves both large-scale mining (LSM) and artisanal and .
3.1 Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining 70 4.1 Small-Scale Mining Poses Challenges for Identifying Impacts of Large-Scale Mines 99 4.2 Effect of a Mine Opening on Household Access to Sanitation in Mali 125 Figures 1.1 GDP Growth by Country Groups, 2000–14 2 1.2 Mine Openings, 1870–2014 2 1.3
Artisanal (ZEA) and mine there instead. This is set to happen at anro’s Namoya site, which is 225 kilometres southwest of Bukavu, just within the borders of Maniema province, where artisanal miners are supposed to relocate to nearby Matete to mine gold, and production is
CCC-466/SCALE 3 in 1985 CCC-725/SCALE 5 in 2004 CCC-545/SCALE 4.0 in 1990 CCC-732/SCALE 5.1 in 2006 SCALE 4.1 in 1992 CCC-750/SCALE 6.0 in 2009 SCALE 4.2 in 1994 CCC-785/SCALE 6.1 in 2011 SCALE 4.3 in 1995 CCC-834/SCALE 6.2 in 2016 The SCALE team is thankful for 40 years of sustaining support from NRC
Sudan's Blue Nile state, which borders Ethiopia's Benishangul-Gumuz region on its eastern side, and South Sudan's Upper Nile region on its south-west frontier, has a long history of small-scale artisanal gold mining. Gold is found in the region's hills and in the alluvial planes south of the Blue Nile. In Blue Nile, artisanal gold .
Social impacts of artisanal cobalt mining in Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo V List of tables Table 1: Price