A community centred approach is key to making headway in the battle against illegal mining
Loss of formal employment in the mining industry and drought conditions in neighbouring countries are some of the factors that drive illegal mining.
The Washington Post via Getty Images
Artisanal gold mining is highly organised and rule-bound. Men, women and even children participate a hierarchy sustained by a web of buyers, sponsors and customers.
Bisimwa Hardy, 22, emerges from a shaft at Luhihi in South Kivu with a bag full of stones destined to the crusher to separate the stone from the gold.
Photo by Guerchom Ndebo/AFP via Getty Images
The devolution of small-scale mining decisions to municipal and district assemblies working in collaboration with traditional authorities is key to saving the industry in Ghana.