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Injuries among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • E. Kyeremateng-Amoah

    (Occupational and Environmental Health Unit, Ghana Health Service, PMB, Ministries, Accra, Ghana)

  • Edith E. Clarke

    (Occupational and Environmental Health Unit, Ghana Health Service, PMB, Ministries, Accra, Ghana)

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale gold miners are confronted with numerous hazards often resulting in varying degrees of injuries and fatalities. In Ghana, like many developing countries, there is paucity of information on the causes and nature of the accidents that result in the injuries. The study was a retrospective, cross sectional type that examined the records of injuries of artisanal and small-scale gold miners presented to the emergency department of a district hospital in the Eastern Region of Ghana from 2006 to 2013. The causes, types, and outcomes of reported injuries were analyzed for 72 cases. Occurrences of mining accidents reported in selected Ghanaian media during the year 2007–2012 were also analyzed to corroborate the causes of the accidents. Fractures and contusions constituted the most frequently occurring injuries, with collapse of the mine pits and falls being the most frequent cause of accidents reported both by the hospital and media records. This study shows that though varied degrees of injuries occur among the miners, the potential for serious injuries is substantial. Measures to reduce the incidence of injuries and fatalities should include education and training on the use of safe working tools and means of creating a safe working environment.

Suggested Citation

  • E. Kyeremateng-Amoah & Edith E. Clarke, 2015. "Injuries among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:9:p:10886-10896:d:55167
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mozhgon Rajaee & Samuel Obiri & Allyson Green & Rachel Long & Samuel J. Cobbina & Vincent Nartey & David Buck & Edward Antwi & Niladri Basu, 2015. "Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana—Part 2: Natural Sciences Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-41, July.
    2. Rachel N. Long & Kan Sun & Richard L. Neitzel, 2015. "Injury Risk Factors in a Small-Scale Gold Mining Community in Ghana’s Upper East Region," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-18, July.
    3. Niladri Basu & Edith Clarke & Allyson Green & Benedict Calys-Tagoe & Laurie Chan & Mawuli Dzodzomenyo & Julius Fobil & Rachel N. Long & Richard L. Neitzel & Samuel Obiri & Eric Odei & Lauretta Ovadje , 2015. "Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana—Part 1: Human Health Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-34, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Niladri Basu & Elisha P. Renne & Rachel N. Long, 2015. "An Integrated Assessment Approach to Address Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Josephine Singo & John Bosco Isunju & Dingani Moyo & Stephan Bose-O’Reilly & Nadine Steckling-Muschack & Antony Mamuse, 2022. "Accidents, Injuries, and Safety among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Zimbabwe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-21, July.

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