The Prospects and Challenges for the Adoption of Green Mining In Ghana: A Case Study of Golden Star Resources Bogoso/Prestea Mine.

Abstract

Illegal mining appears to be one of world’s major mining problems and to a large extent Ghana’s greatest environmental hazard. However, small scale and large-scale mining are not excluded from this problem because current statistics point to mining industries consuming almost 20% of the world’s water supplies, also when a mine closure is done haphazardly, the area becomes an environmental and safety risk for the communities that live close to the mine. Mining in general can pollute the air and drinking water, harm wildlife and habitat, and permanently scar natural landscapes and these pose a threat to world security. The government of Ghana and global environmental bodies have introduced several approaches in solving the environmental issues caused by the effects of mining. Furthermore, in 2014, a concept called Green Mining, referring to technologies, best practices and mine processes that are adopted to reduce the environmental footprints associated with the extraction and processing of minerals and metals was introduced. Green mining is being practiced in countries such as Canada and Australia and ranges from improving water consumption to lowering energy costs and ensuring a safer mine closure. This study therefore sought to assess the prospects and challenges for the adoption of Green mining in Ghana, using Golden Star Resources Bogoso/Prestea mine as a case study, and to find out measures that have been employed by Golden Star Resources to reduce the negative environmental impacts of mining. This study used the qualitative research method. It argues that Golden Star Resources to a large extent practices Green Mining and has contributed appreciably well to implementing this practice in all three mines of the company; Bogoso/Prestea and Wassa. The researcher recommends that the Government of Ghana should liaise with major stakeholders in the mining sector to create awareness on minerals exploitation in the country by both foreign and local investors. It is also imperative that the major stakeholders in the mining industry in Ghana do learn from the pacesetters of green mining;