Spatial Analysis of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of Ghana

Abstract In recent times there have been lots of public outcry on the environmental and public health and safety effects of Artisanal and Small-scale gold Mining (ASM) and the need to monitor ASM activities for reclamation purposes. To effectively develop and deploy policy responses to the environmental and human health effects of ASM, knowledge of the locations and distribution of ASM sites is a prerequisite. However, information regarding ASM hotspots and spatial distribution, the scope and types of ASM operations are hard to find. Therefore, this research was designed to use satellite-based data to map out ASM sites, focusing on the Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality as the study area. Several image processing techniques were applied on a Landsat 8 satellite image downloaded from the US Geological Survey website. The image processing resulted in the identification of 221 clusters of ASM sites, representing 12.72% of the total size of the study area. To further explore the effects of these ASM sites, Areas of Interest (AOI) including forest reserve, rivers, large-scale mines and urban settlements were defined. By selecting and analysing the location and distribution of the ASM sites in relations to the AOI, the study was effective in identifying environmentally sensitive and critical areas warranting the urgent attention of society to mitigate the health, safety and ecosystem service effects of ASM in the study area. By identifying the environmental sensitive areas being affected by ASM, the findings could support the prioritisation of reclamation efforts.   Keywords: Artisanal Small-Scale Mining, Satellite Image, Environmental Effect, Public Health and Safet

Human Factor Analysis Framework for Ghana’s Mining Industry

In an attempt to incorporate human factors into technical failures as accident causal factors, researchers have promoted the concept of human factor analysis. Human factor analysis models seek to identify latent conditions within the system that influence the operator’s action to trigger an accident.  For an effective application of human factor analysis models, a domain-specific model is recommended. Most existing models are developed with category/subcategory peculiar to a particular domain. This presents challenges and hinders effective application outside the domain developed for. This paper sought to propose a human factor analysis framework for Ghana’s mining industry. A comparative study was carried out between three dominated accident causation models and investigation methods in literature; AcciMap, HFACS, and STAMP. The comparative assessment showed that HFACS is suitable for incident data analysis based on the following reason; ease of learning and use, suitability for multiple incident analysis and statistical quantification of trends and patterns, and high inter and intra-coder reliability. A thorough study was done on HFACS and its derivative. Based on recommendations and research findings on HFACS from literature, Human Factor Analysis, and Classification System – Ghana Mining Industry (HFACS-GMI) was proposed. The HFACS-GMI has 4 tiers, namely; External influence/factor, Organisational factor, Local Workplace/Individual Condition and, Unsafe Act. A partial list of causal factors under each tier was generated to serve as a guide during incident coding and investigation. The HFACS-GMI consists of 18 subcategories and these have been discussed. The HFACS-GMI is specific to the Ghanaian Mines and could potentially help in identifying causal and contributing factors of an accident during an incident investigation and data analysis.   Keywords: Human Factor Analysis, Causal Factor, Causation Model, Mining Industr

Modelling of Malaria Risk Areas in Ghana by using Environmental and Anthropogenic Variables – A Spatial Multi- Criteria Approach

Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana, accounting for over three million cases and thousands of deaths annually. The risks of morbidity and mortality associated with malaria are characterized by spatial and temporal variation across the country. This research sought to use GIS and multi-criteria decision analysis to produce a predictive model of malaria using eight risk factors ranging from environmental to anthropogenic. Each of the risk factors was classified into three classes of malaria risk according to how it impacts malaria prevalence. The classified risk factors were finally overlaid through the use of weighted overlay after weights were determined from them using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Results indicate that high risk areas are concentrated at the central as well as the west-southern parts of the country consisting mainly of the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Eastern, Central and the Western Regions. No area was classified as low risk while 53.51% and 46.49% were classified as medium and high risk respectively. The risk map created can serve not only as a predictive tool, but can be used to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of malariatransmission.Keywords: Malaria, GIS, Analytical Hierarchy Process, Weighted Overla

Assessing the quality of incident investigations and its effect on safety performance: A study of the ghanaian mining industry

Incident investigation is of utmost importance in most high-risk industries. This study was undertaken to study the content of past investigation reports to determine the effectiveness of the incident investigations. The study uses a semi-quantitative method to assess the effectiveness of incident investigations in the Ghanaian mining industry by evaluating the quality of past investigation reports. The assessment tool consists of 5 elements with several indicators and rating scales for assessing the quality of an investigation report as a measure of the effectiveness of the investigation. The method was applied to 304 investigation reports of 3 Ghanaian large-scale gold mines, and the results correlated with incidence rates of the mines to determine if any relationship existed. The results showed that the mines differ significantly in the quality of their investigation reports, suggesting differences in the effectiveness of their investigations. In addition, the incidence rates of the mines negatively correlated with some elements of the assessment tool. In general, the method was found useful and revealed areas where improvement is needed

Systemic constraints to effective learning from incidents in the Ghanaian mining industry: A correspondence analysis and AcciMap approach

Learning from incidents is regarded as a key component of an organisation's safety management system and an important means of improving organisational safety. However, several factors could affect the effectiveness of the learning process. In this study, our focus is to identify the constraints impeding effective learning from incidents in Ghanaian mines, including factors emanating from outside an organisation and determine associations and possible cause-effect links between these constraints. We interviewed 41 incident investigators and 8 victims across five large-scale gold mines in Ghana and analysed the data through qualitative content analysis, correspondence analysis and AcciMap. We identified 45 specific constraints grouped across five levels of a sociotechnical system that affected the effectiveness of the learning process. Many of the factors were independent of the investigators and victims and were organisational, regulatory and societal. Through correspondence analysis, we observed strong associations among the constraints. Specifically, constraints at the organisational, work and regulatory levels were strongly associated. The AcciMap method of accident analysis was used in depicting the systemic nature and establishing cause-effect relationships between the constraints both within and across levels. As constraints at the upper levels influence those at the lower level, it would be inappropriate to focus improvement measures on individual factors without addressing the main problems at the organisational, regulatory and societal levels. Therefore, specific measures have been recommended at all the five levels to promote the effectiveness of learning from incidents at the mines

Planning and implementing remedial measures from incident investigations: a study of the Ghanaian mining industry

The literature on learning from incidents indicates that there is more focus on the initial stage of incident analysis to identify causes and less focus on the latter stages associated with implementing improvements. To improve safety, it is important to develop and implement remedial measures that better address the causes and consequences of incidents. This study focused on the planning and implementation of remedial measures after incident analysis. Thirty-five safety professionals involved in developing and implementing remedial measures from incident investigations at four large-scale gold mines in Ghana were interviewed using the critical incident technique. The nature of past remedial measures was studied, as well as understanding the current process of planning and implementing remedial measures. Results showed that remedial measures most frequently targeted human behaviour, and the majority of recommendations were focused at the lowest levels of the organisation. Moreover, investigators relied on their personal experiences when planning remedial measures, instead of following a formal analytical process. Several factors influencing successful implementations of recommendations were also identified. The lack of a formal analytical process to guide the planning and implementation of remedial measures led to the development of a remedial measure management process (RMMP) to structure the identification and implementation of better remedial measures following an accident. Although the proposed process fits the thinking of safety professionals, it is yet to be tested, and therefore, further research is required to determine its application, effectiveness and usefulness

Applicability and Usefulness of the HFACS-GMI

To present information such as causes of accidents and their consequences on the Ghanaian mining industry in the safety literature, classification schemes for incident analysis within the safety literature were studied. Human Factor Analysis and Classification Scheme (HFACS) emerged suitable for incident analysis. Base on its suitability for incident analysis within the Ghanaian Mining Industry (GMI), a derivative of the HFACS, namely HFACS-GMI, was proposed. This research seeks to study the usefulness and the applicability of the HFACS-GMI. Collectively, 56 incident investigation reports were obtained from an open cast gold mine in Ghana and analysed using the HFACS-GMI. Two cases, an equipment damage incident and an injury incident, were used to demonstrate the coding processing in identifying the causal factors. The analysis shows that most mishaps are associated with adverse workplace/operator conditions (151 references), with the physical environment (72.2%) being cited as the major causal code under the tier. Management decision showed a major contribution (74.1%) to mishap under the causal codes. Most cases were attributed to mistake error (57.4%) followed by the contravention (51.1%) of set rules and procedures with the operator's act tiers. Inadequate work standards (27.8%) and failure to ensure competency (24.1%) under the operational process and leadership flaw causal codes, respectively, were identified as the most cited nanocode. Management decision is critical in a mishap and should be given much attention in developing accident prevention strategies. The study has demonstrated that HFACS-GMI is very useful and applicable for incident analysis within the mining industry and is recommended to study causal factors across the mines

Investigating the Maturity of Incident Investigations of the Ghanaian Mining Industry and Its Effect on Safety Performance

Effective incident investigations have been recognised as a vital means of improving safety. Nevertheless, there has been little attempt to link incident investigations to actual safety performance. In this study, a framework for assessing the maturity of incident investigations and identifying areas for improvements is described. The framework was developed based on a literature review and interviews with 41 investigators across five large-scale Ghanaian gold mines. The framework consists of 20 elements across four dimensions and five maturity levels. The dimensions (investigator competencies, system of investigation, stages of investigation and post-investigation findings) consider the most relevant aspects of practical investigation and for each dimension, elements that are more specific were defined across five maturity levels. Mapping the interview data collected from five mines into a maturity framework highlighted that the mines occupied different positions on the framework. Some occupied the advanced levels consistently and others consistently occupied the lower levels. Applying the interview data to the framework also identified priority areas for improvement. Finally, the maturity scores derived from mapping interview data onto the framework were correlated with the incidence rates of the mines to determine if any relationship existed between the two variables. The low incidence rate mines had higher maturity scores and the high incidence rate mines had lower maturity scores. It was found that the method was effective in practice, giving clear indications of areas where improvements are needed

Examining the relationship between safety culture maturity and safety performance of the mining industry

A mature safety culture is regarded as an important means of ensuring good safety performance, particularly in reducing accidents. However, there is little empirical evidence in the literature that links safety culture maturity with actual safety performance metric. In this study, a safety culture maturity framework was used to examine the safety culture maturity level of mines in Ghana, and to explore the relationship of cultural maturity with accident rates. The safety culture maturity framework used consisted of 3 person and 10 system elements across five levels of culture maturity. A survey comprising the 13 elements was conducted among 828 employees of four large-scale gold mines in Ghana. Through principal component analysis, the structure of the framework was found valid and produced a good fit after testing the model through confirmatory factor analysis. One-way ANOVA showed that the mines had statistically significant differences in their mean incidence rate and pairwise comparison test revealed specific statistically significant mines. Similarly, Kruskal-Wallis H test also showed that the mines’ safety culture maturity scores differed significantly from each other and a pairwise test identified specific mines with significant differences. It was found that mines with lower incidence rates consistently had higher safety culture maturity scores for the elements than mines with higher incidence rate. Also, correlation analysis indicated a strong negative correlation between the incidence rate and most elements of the safety culture maturity framework. The model/framework used was found useful and practical to both employees and management, enabling the identification of weak areas that require improvements interventions

Mutualism, commensalism or parasitism? Perspectives on tailings trade between large-scale and artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Ghana

Due to poor technology and lack of proper skills in mineral processing techniques, a greater percentage (about 70%) of gold is lost to the tailings stream in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). These tailings, in the last decade, have become a major source of revenue for some large-scale mining (LSM) companies in Ghana because they have advanced technologies to optimize recovery. This paper examines the tailings trade between ASGM and LSM companies in Ghana and determines their associated relationships. It also informs policy decisions regarding gold mining in Ghana. Field visits were made to licensed ASGM sites in the Tarkwa Mining District where the trade is mostly practiced to obtain first-hand information and conduct interviews with diggers. Results indicate that both ASGM operators and LSM companies derive revenue from the tailings trade, exhibiting a relationship that could be described as mutualistic. Based on the tailings price determination, the symbiotic relationship is described as parasitic because the tailings pricing process is largely controlled by the LSM companies to the detriment of the ASGM operators. As a result of the environmental dangers posed by the tailings trade, the interdependency could equally be described as parasitic since both the ASGM operators and the LSM companies benefit to the detriment of the natural ecosystem. It was also observed that while some stakeholders attempt to criminalize the tailings trade, there is presently no law or regulation that prohibits such trade in the Ghanaian mining industry