The Impact of Mining on Livelihoods of Local Communities

The Impact of Mining on Livelihoods of Local Communities:

A Case Study of Newmont Ahafo South Mining Project of Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana.

_{Graduate School of Development Studies}

A Research Paper presented by:

Irene Jemilatu Yaro

(Ghana)

in partial fulfilment of the requirements for obtaining the degree of

MASTERS OF ARTS IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Specialization:

[Environment and Sustainable Development]
(ESD)

Members of the examining committee:

Dr Bram Buscher (Supervisor)

Dr Murat Arsel (Reader)

The Hague, The Netherlands
December, 2010

Disclaimer:

This document represents part of the author’s study programme while at the Institute of Social Studies. The views stated therein are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Institute.

Inquiries:

Postal address: Institute of Social Studies

P.O. Box 29776
2502 LT The Hague
The Netherlands

Location: Kortenaerkade 12

2518 AX The Hague
The Netherlands

Telephone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Dedication

This piece is dedicated to the Yaro family and Omanhene Kwaku Boateng for their support, encouragement and incessant prayers. With hard work and dedication, it can be achieved.

Acknowledgement

Even though writing this research paper was an overwhelming task, a lot of knowledge and experience has been acquired at the end of it all. This would not have been possible without the support and co-operation of other people.

First of all, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my supervisor and convener, Dr. Bram Buscher for, the guidance, motivation and instrumental role played throughout the research process. Bram, your motivational words- “please have some faith and confidence in yourself, you can do it” gingered me on from the beginning to the end of the program. Am most grateful.

Dr. Murat Arsel, your critical comments, ideas and suggestions, helped theorize and gave this paper a better focus.

Mention and tribute to my two discussants; Mauro and Ignacio, Emmanuel Amankwa of Wa Polytechnic, Majeed Mohammed and Bashiru Adams for the valuable contributions they made to this paper throughout the research process; The Netherlands Government through NUFFIC, without your financial support my dreams to pursue this MA would have been shattered; My employers for granting me study leave to acquire more skills and knowledge; The Ghanaian community at ISS, you were my family far away from home; The programme administrator, Katherine Voorvelt, for the support offered during the course of my study at the institute .

I also owe a debt of appreciation to the following for their assistance during my field work. Mr. Isaac Osei, the Regional Director, Prosper Yaw Nkrumah and Sylvester Awuzum all of EPA, Sunyani; Mr. Adomako, Newmont Ghana, Kenyase; Mr. Derben, Asutifi District Assemby, Kenyase; Hon. Ankomah, Assemblyman- Ola Resettlement Area, Kenyase; Mr. Norbert, LEG, Kenyase; Francis Adu, Youth Association, Kenyase and Badu Yeboah, Kenyase.

Last but not the least, to my dear parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Yaro and siblings for their support, love and care as I sojourned in the Netherlands for further studies.

Contents

Dedication 3

Acknowledgement 4

List of Tables 6

List of Figures 6

List of Maps 6

List of Acronyms 7

Abstract 9

Chapter Introduction 11

1.1 Background 11

1.2 Indication of Problem 12

1.3 Research Objectives 15

1.4 Research Questions 15

1.5 Sub Questions 15

1.6 Research Methodology 15

1.6.1 Selection of Newmont Ahafo South Project as Case Study 16

1.6.2 Sources of Data 16

1.6.3 Data Collection Techniques 17

1.7 Limitations 18

1.8 Organization of the Study 19

Chapter 2 Theoretical Framework
20

2.1 Introduction 20

2.2 Sustainable Livelihood Framework 20

2.3 Concept of Land Tenure 22

2.4 Linkage to study 23

2.5 Conclusion 25

Chapter 3 The Research Context: Newmont Ahafo South Project Area. 26

3 .1 Introduction 26

3.2 Historical Background. 26

3.3 Newmont Ahafo South Mine Project. 26

3.4 Project Description 30

3. 5 District Profile 30

3.6 Conclusion 31


Chapter 4 Analysis and discussion of findings: Opinions of Stakeholders and Local Community Members 33

4.1 Introduction 33

4.2 The Impact of Large Scale Mining Activities on Local Communities 33

4.3 Mining politics at the local level 38

4.4 Livelihood Strategies and Outcomes as a result of Mining Activities 44

4.5 Impact of Artisanal /Small Scale Mining 53

4.6 Conclusion 54

CHAPTER 5: Summary of Findings and Conclusion 56

References: 58

Appendices 62

List of Tables

Table 1: Is mining Profitable to Ghana? 33

Table 2: Government of Ghana Interest in Mining Companies 36

Table 3: Is NGGL’s operations associated with Environmental problems? 38

Table 4: Is NGGL’s activities associated with Socio-cultural problems? 40

Table 5: Were you willing to release your farmland for mining activities? 44

List of Figures

Figure 1: Polluted water source Figure 2: Mine waste/tailings from NGGL 40

Figure 3: Before – mud house Figure 4: After- resettled house 48

51

Figure 5: Boundary of Newmont concession 51

Figure 6: Contaminated water as a result of NGGL’s Activities 51

51

51

Figures7 and 8: Illegal gold mining activity at Kenyase 54

List of Maps

Map 1: Map of Ghana showing the Project Location 27

Map 2: Ahafo Mining Lease 29