HEYWARD RESERVE LIBRARY

University of Ghana,Legon

THE EFFECT OF CURRENT MINING PRACTICES ON THE WELFARE OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

By E.K. Agyapong.

Mining is of fundamental importance to the economies of a number of countries including Ghana. The industry is however associated with serious environmental and health impacts. Very often, the people most impacted by mining have received few tangible benefits. As a result of their vulnerability ,women and children are most often much more affected by the consequences of mining operations. The mining industry has been a focus of criticisms in recent times and the positive image of mining as a source of wealth and employment has been challenged by NGOs and other groups of civil society. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), mining is one of the world's most hazadorus sectors, and is associated with about 15,000 deaths each year (ILO:1997). In South Africa for instance, each ton of gold mined cost 1 life and 12 serious injuries (Africa Agenda:1997)

In Ghana, mining is done either on a large or small scale . All kinds of methods ranging from underground mining to surface excavation are employed in the business. No matter the methods used in the mining business the untold physical ,economic and social effects it leaves on its employees especially women and children cannot be overlooked.

Mining practices are associated with various health hazards and these have serois effects on the welfare of women and children, ranging from pollution of the air and water bodies to noise and vibration. The air pollution in mining areas resulting from the emission of substances such as nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxides and other atmospheric particles can cause Upper respiratory tract Infections (URTIs0 in people especially, women and children. Noise vibration resulting from the blasting of ore in large scale mining operation poses a serious problem for nearby residents. There have been observed incidents in Tarkwa where nursing mothers have had to carry their sleeping babies at their backs whenever rocks are blasted by the mining companies to avoid sound vibrations and being hit by rock splinters. Within the small -scale mining sub-sector , several pits created by miners are left uncovered after use. These pits pose a danger in that ,rain water accumulates in them and becomes breeding ground for disease vectors such as mosquitoes which cause malaria. Small -scale miners stand the risk of being trapped to death in the pits when they cave in. In July 1998, a child fell into one of such pits at Tarkwa and died instantly. In a study undertaken on small scale mining operations at Tarkwa and its surroundings in 1998, women with babies at their backs were found pounding gold-bearing rocks without any protective clothing (Agyapong:1998). The high silica -content rocks however generate a lot of dust in the process and prolonged exposure to this dust according to medical experts can cause silicosis and silico-tuberculosis.

A study conducted by Friends of the Earth-Ghana at Obusi and its surrounding settlements in 19965, showed that the Kwabrafo River at Obuasi in the Ashanti region, had 38 times more arsenic than World Health Organization (WHO) permissible levels whilst the Jimi river at Akrofrom also in the Ashanti region has 36 times more arsenic. Small scale mining operations also contribute significantly to the pollution of water bodies in the mining communities. Since most of the rivers in such communities are the source of drinking water for the people ,failure by mining companies to provide alternative sources means a burden on women and children who provide water to the household in rural communities.

A Study conducted in Tarkwa and its surroundings revealed that mercury poising of small scale miners is a serious health hazard ( Agyapong E.K.:1998) This is a result oif indiscriminate use as well as improper application of mercury in the processing of gold by small scale miners. Nursing mothers as well as their children stand a great risk of poisoning. According to medical experts, mercury poisoning can lead to birth defects in women when it enters the placenta and may lead to death.

The high demands of land in mining communities and the influx of foreigners to these areas in pursuit of jobs automatically increases the cost of accommodation. The implication are that those who do not earn high income or are not employed in the mining sector,(wages in the mining sector are said to be higher than the average wage in Ghana) will not be in the position to afford decent accommodation for themselves and their families. Migration of young ladies into mining communities in search of non-existent jobs may lead to prositution with its implications for the spread of venereal diseases including HIV and AIDS. Children who reside in areas where small scale mining is undertaken are attracted to this activity in order to earn a living . This encourages truancy in school children and increases the already high school drop-out rate. Rural communities depend on the land as a source of livelihood. In mining communities however, farmlands are taken over by the mining companies and the inhabitants are resettled. Compensation packages paid to the deprived families are very meager Agricultural production therefore is virtually halted, the cost of living escalates, families have very low incomes and the nutrition and health of children is affected. Eventually able bodied people are forced to migrate from these areas in search of jobs.

1. Mining companies should adopt best environmental practices incorporating the preventative approach to environmental management. This will help to prevent pollution and associated health problems associated with the mining industry.
2. National institutions responsible for family welfare need to be strengthened and involved in the formulation implementation and monitoring of sectoral policies as they affect the family.
3. Children in mining communities should be encouraged to prefer education to early employment.
4. Compensation packages for families should be long-term, taking into consideration the fact that the family is being deprived of its source of livelihood for as the mining company stays in business. Such packages should also include accommodation, education and health needs of the family.
5. To ensure the safety of employees in large-scale and small-scale mining enterprises, educational programmes should be held on occupational hazards associated with the jobs. In addition protective clothing should be provided for employees (especially those in large scale miming) to minimize health hazards.
6. Institutional strengthening and co-ordination is urgently required among sector agencies responsible for the mining sector. Periodic monitoring of the operations of mining companies is necessary to ensure compliance and also reduction of environmental degradation.
7. NGOs and other philanthropic organizations should intensify their education and advocacy programmes on family on family welfare issues.