Strained relations: A critical analysis of the mining conflict in Prestea, Ghana

Hilson, G and Yakovleva, N (2007) Strained relations: A critical analysis of the mining conflict in Prestea, Ghana Political Geography, 26 (1). pp. 98-119.

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Abstract

This paper examines the dynamics of the ongoing conflict in Prestea, Ghana, where indigenous galamsey mining groups are operating illegally on a concession awarded to Bogoso Gold Limited (BGL), property of the Canadian-listed multinational Gold Star Resources. Despite being issued firm orders by the authorities to abandon their activities, galamsey leaders maintain that they are working areas of the concession that are of little interest to the company; they further counter that there are few alternative sources of local employment, which is why they are mining in the first place. Whilst the Ghanaian Government is in the process of setting aside plots to relocate illegal mining parties and is developing alternative livelihood projects, efforts are far from encouraging: in addition to a series of overlooked logistical problems, the areas earmarked for relocation have not yet been prospected to ascertain gold content, and the alternative income-earning activities identified are inappropriate. As has been the case throughout mineral-rich sub-Saharan Africa, the conflict in Prestea has come about largely because the national mining sector reform program, which prioritizes the expansion of predominantly foreign-controlled large-scale projects, has neglected the concerns of indigenous subsistence groups. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Item Type:	Article
Authors :	Name Email ORCID Hilson, G Yakovleva, N n.yakovleva@surrey.ac.uk
Date :	1 January 2007
DOI :	10.1016/j.polgeo.2006.09.001
Depositing User :	Symplectic Elements
Date Deposited :	16 May 2017 15:31
Last Modified :	16 May 2017 15:31
URI:	http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/id/eprint/820171

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