Socio-demographic attributes of artisanal small-scale miners and their operations in Ghana

Socio-demographic characteristics of miners have been identified to play an important role in determining the distribution of costs and benefits in the mining sector. This study aims at providing an overview of the nature of the artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) sector in Ghana by focusing on the socio-economic characteristics of miners and their implications on the mining sector. Three mining communities representing the southern, middle, and northern belts of Ghana were selected. The mixed methods approach was used for the study. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect all necessary information. The study revealed that; ASM remains informal with the sector being dominated by the youth. Males dominate the sector and responsibilities in the industry are determined by one's sex. There are regional differences in male-female participation and educational levels due to rural-urban differences with the existence of foreigners in artisanal mining in the country. The study recommends the incorporation of socio-demographic characteristics of miners into policy initiatives of the sector. A further study on how to make licensure procedures more attractive to ASM to help reduce the informality in the sector is also recommended.