The socioeconomic and environmental impacts of informal artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Ghana are assessed in this paper. The paper includes a case study of an informal ASM-affected community located in the Western Region of Ghana. A two-phase mixed-method approach consisting of literature reviews, questionnaires, interviews, and water quality assessments was employed. The informal ASM was found to be a significant source of livelihood for many rural people who have few employment alternatives. However, it was observed to promote truancy, child labor, teenage pregnancy, and environmental degradation. Water quality was significantly affected by turbidity, followed by manganese and iron, leading to a water quality index at least 500% higher than the upper limit for potability. The authors describe economic, political, social, regulatory, and technological factors as major drivers for the informal ASM. Formalization of the informal ASM in Ghana could minimize the socioeconomic impacts and ensure environmental performance.

本文评估了加纳非正式手工和小规模采矿（ASM）的社会经济和环境影响。该文件包括对加纳西部地区一个受ASM影响的非正式社区的案例研究。采用了由文献综述，问卷调查，访谈和水质评估组成的两阶段混合方法。对于许多没有其他选择的农村人口，非正式的ASM被发现是重要的生计来源。然而，据观察，它促进逃学，童工，少女怀孕和环境恶化。水质受浊度的影响很大，其次是锰和铁，导致水质指数比适饮性上限至少高出500％。作者描述了经济，政治，社会，监管，和技术因素是非正式ASM的主要驱动力。加纳非正式ASM的正式化可以最大程度地减少社会经济影响并确保环境绩效。