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Emergy Perspectives on the Environmental Performance and Sustainability of Small-Scale Gold Production Systems in Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Ernest Frimpong Asamoah

    (State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Lixiao Zhang

    (State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Sai Liang

    (State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Mingyue Pang

    (State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Shoujuan Tang

    (State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

Abstract

Small-scale gold mining is an important component of the Ghanaian economy but it has also caused enormous damage to local ecosystems. In this paper, an emergy analysis was conducted in Ghana to assess the environmental performance and the relative sustainability of two artisanal and small-scale gold production systems: alluvial “dig and wash” and underground “ghetto” mines. Results show that both production systems have high environmental impacts, as indicated by an environmental loading ratio (ELR) of 4.31 and environmental sustainability index (ESI) of 0.33 for the alluvial system and 2.53 and 0.52 for the underground system, respectively. Concerning the international trade balance, the emergy exchange ratios of the two systems are both lower than one, at, 0.23 and 0.33 for the alluvial and underground systems, respectively, indicating a significant amount of resource loss to foreign regions. This study could assist in the regulation of the small-scale mining sector bearing in mind the unsustainable nature of their activities. In addition, supporting miners to consider land rehabilitation ethics is urgently needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Ernest Frimpong Asamoah & Lixiao Zhang & Sai Liang & Mingyue Pang & Shoujuan Tang, 2017. "Emergy Perspectives on the Environmental Performance and Sustainability of Small-Scale Gold Production Systems in Ghana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:11:p:2034-:d:118878
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Galychyn, Oleksandr, 2022. "Towards sustainable cities: A multi-criteria assessment framework for studying urban metabolism," MPRA Paper 121584, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 11 May 2022.
    3. Isabel B. Franco & Jose A. Puppim de Oliveira & Saleem H. Ali, 2018. "Peace with Hunger: Colombia’s Checkered Experience with Post-Conflict Sustainable Community Development in Emerald-Mining Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-17, February.
    4. Chanhoon Jung & Chanwoo Kim & Solhee Kim & Kyo Suh, 2018. "Analysis of Environmental Carrying Capacity with Emergy Perspective of Jeju Island," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-12, May.
    5. Viera-Romero, A.M. & Diemont, S.A.W. & Selfa, T.L. & Luzadis, V.A., 2024. "The sustainability of shrimp aquaculture: An emergy-based case study in the Gulf of Guayaquil thirty years later," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    6. Edrisi, Sheikh Adil & Sahiba, Sheikh Arshiya & Chen, Bin & Abhilash, P.C., 2022. "Emergy-based sustainability analysis of bioenergy production from marginal and degraded lands of India," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 466(C).

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