Monitoring of Artisanal Mining (Galamsey) in Ghana

Overview

The Monitoring of Artisanal Mining (Galamsey) in Ghana Service is a monitoring platform with information on the location of illegal mining sites across Ghana and their associated land degradation. It provides the necessary spatial data input to decision makers and partners, such as A Rocha Ghana, who will use the information to target areas for remediation and landscape restoration activities.

Rationale

Artisanal mining is considered a major source of livelihood for many rural people in Ghana. However, the increase in unregulated mining (galamsey) activities in recent years has resulted in severe land degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution of water bodies and acidification of soils deleterious to the biophysical and socio-economic environment. Accurate information about the location and scale of these mining sites is necessary for decision makers to take action through remediation and restoration activities.

• Infographic: Mobile App for Fighting Illegal Mining in Ghana

  

  Illegal small-scale and artisanal mining is an important source of income for rural communities in Ghana.