One study found that the level of turbidity in water samples from drinking water sources in Datuku in the Talensi-Nabdam District ranged from 1 nitrite-nitrogen turbidity in the Accra borehole to 447 nitrite-nitrogen turbidity midstream. 2 Most mining community residents are impoverished and live in rural settings that lack basic resources such as health care services and clean potable water. 2 Most of the mining communities in Ghana have experienced air and water pollution, as well as other forms of environmental degradation resulting from mining processes.
6 Recently, many mining companies have taken steps to mitigate the effects of their past actions through the development of comprehensive impact assessment studies and approaches for dealing with the adverse effects of mining, as well as contributing to infrastructure development. One study argued that “to date, mining has a poor record in terms of its contribution to ecological development, with few communities getting significant benefits and mining sites experiencing lasting negative consequences”. 4, 5 Notwithstanding the role played by mining to the socioeconomic development of Ghana, the adverse impacts of mining activities are increasing. 3 Mining accounts for about 9.1% of Ghana's gross domestic product (GDP) and employs almost 300,000 people. Known as Ghana following independence in 1957, the extraction of gold and other resources continues and contributes enormously to economic development. It was formerly called the Gold Coast due to large deposits of gold in the southern areas of Obuasi, Tarkwa and Preistea. 2 Ghana is equally gifted with rich mineral resources. 1 Mining has played a substantial role in the development of Ghana, which is second only to South Africa in terms of gold production on the African continent. Mineral wealth is an important asset that can be used to stimulate or enhance economic growth and spur infrastructure development, including the building of schools, hospitals and road networks.