To Mine or Not to Mine : Socio-Demographic Factors Affecting Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (Galamsey) Operations in Ghana

In spite of the persistent efforts by the responsible state institutions to eradicate galamsey operations in Ghana, little attention is given to the inhabitants' characteristics that may affect the surge in illegal mining operations. This study was designed to investigate whether local community dwellers’ socio-demographic characteristics affect their participation in galamsey activities–an aspect that has not been independently investigated in the scientific literature. Cross-sectional survey quantitative data were sourced using 342 semi-structured household questionnaires. Results showed that the majority (69.3%) of the local dwellers engaged in galamsey operations. The binary logistic regression model showed that socio-demographic variables such as age, gender, marital status, religious status and educational status of the respondents significantly determined their participation in illegal mining activities. The study, therefore, concludes that local dwellers' socio-demographic characteristics significantly influence their participation in ASM operations and–contribute to the surge in illegal mining activities in Ghana. The study recommends that the Government of Ghana and related stakeholders should focus on creating more youth jobs of significant prospects in local communities. In addition, investing in education and promoting the agenda of higher educational attainment in rural areas is a forward-looking step to reducing the growing illegal mining activities in the country