Galamsey
Encyclopedia
A galamsey is a local artisanal gold miner in Ghana
, West Africa; such workers are known as orpailleurs in neighboring francophone
nations. Galamseys are people who do gold mining
independent of mining
companies, digging small workings (pits, tunnels and sluices) by hand.
.
The number of galamseys in Ghana is unknown, but it is believed to be from 20,000 to 50,000.They mostly operate in the southern part of the country where there are substantial reserves of gold deposits, usually within the environs of the larger mining companies. As a group, they are economically disadvantaged; galamsey settlements are usually poorer than neighboring agricultural villages. They have high rates of accidents and are exposed to mercury poisoning
from their crude processing methods. Many women are among the workers, acting mostly as porters for the miners.
In some cases, galamseys are the first to discover and work extensive gold deposits before mining companies find out and take over. Galamsey workings are an indicator of the presence of gold.
In the francophone
countries surrounding Ghana, similar local artisanal gold miners are called orpailleurs.
occurred in an illegal, privately owned mine in Dompoase
, Ashanti Region
, Ghana
. At least 18 workers were killed, including 13 women, who worked as porters for the miners. Officials have described the disaster as the worst mine collapse in Ghanaian history.
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
, West Africa; such workers are known as orpailleurs in neighboring francophone
Francophone
The adjective francophone means French-speaking, typically as primary language, whether referring to individuals, groups, or places. Often, the word is used as a noun to describe a natively French-speaking person....
nations. Galamseys are people who do gold mining
Gold mining
Gold mining is the removal of gold from the ground. There are several techniques and processes by which gold may be extracted from the earth.-History:...
independent of mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
companies, digging small workings (pits, tunnels and sluices) by hand.
Background
Generally the galamseys can dig only to a limited depth, far shallower and smaller than commercial mining companies. Under current Ghana law, it is illegal for galamseys to dig on land granted to mining companies as concessions or licenses. Most galamseys find gold in free metallic dust form or they process oxide or sulphide gold ore using liquid mercuryMercury (element)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
.
The number of galamseys in Ghana is unknown, but it is believed to be from 20,000 to 50,000.They mostly operate in the southern part of the country where there are substantial reserves of gold deposits, usually within the environs of the larger mining companies. As a group, they are economically disadvantaged; galamsey settlements are usually poorer than neighboring agricultural villages. They have high rates of accidents and are exposed to mercury poisoning
Mercury poisoning
Mercury poisoning is a disease caused by exposure to mercury or its compounds. Mercury is a heavy metal occurring in several forms, all of which can produce toxic effects in high enough doses...
from their crude processing methods. Many women are among the workers, acting mostly as porters for the miners.
In some cases, galamseys are the first to discover and work extensive gold deposits before mining companies find out and take over. Galamsey workings are an indicator of the presence of gold.
In the francophone
Francophone
The adjective francophone means French-speaking, typically as primary language, whether referring to individuals, groups, or places. Often, the word is used as a noun to describe a natively French-speaking person....
countries surrounding Ghana, similar local artisanal gold miners are called orpailleurs.
Dangers
On November 12, 2009 a collapseDompoase mine collapse
On November 12, 2009 a collapse occurred in an illegal, privately owned gold mine in Dompoase, Ashanti Region, Ghana. Up to 30 miners were prospecting the mine when it collapsed because of a landslide. At least 18 workers were killed in the collapse, including 14 women and the owner of the mine...
occurred in an illegal, privately owned mine in Dompoase
Dompoase
Dompoase, a suburb of Kumasi, Ashanti Region, is a town of 30,000 people in Ghana. Kumasi is the capital of the region, considered the wealthiest and most powerful in the nation. It is the area of most cocoa production, as well as gold mining....
, Ashanti Region
Ashanti Region
The Ashanti Region is the third largest of 10 administrative regions in Ghana, occupying a total land surface of 24389 square kilometers or 10.2 per cent of the total land area of Ghana. In terms of population, however, it is the most populated region with a population of 3,612,950 in 2000,...
, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
. At least 18 workers were killed, including 13 women, who worked as porters for the miners. Officials have described the disaster as the worst mine collapse in Ghanaian history.
External links
- "Mining in Ghana – Golden future for the galamsey", (page no longer exists), World Business Council for Sustainable Development
- The Money Stone, a documentary film about the galamsey
- "Galamsey: Will Work for Gold" feature article from the Common Language Project