Students of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), Junior Division, have examined the environmental and socio-economic impacts of illegal mining in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality as part of a study tour focused on illegal mining and sustainable development.
The study tour, held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, combined discussions with local authorities and environmental officials with field visits to an illegal mining site and AngloGold Ashanti’s Iduapriem Mine.
At the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly, participants were briefed on the effects of illegal mining on farmlands, water bodies, forest reserves, livelihoods, public health and local governance.
Municipal Planning Officer Amanda Adjei identified environmental degradation, water pollution, forest protection, socio-economic impacts, health and sanitation, and governance and regulation as six interconnected areas that must be addressed in tackling illegal mining.
The session also examined challenges surrounding land reclamation, community participation in forest protection, local resource mobilisation, protection of water bodies and health monitoring.
Municipal Chief Executive Ebenezer Cobbinah said illegal mining was an environmental challenge that cut across municipalities and regions and required collaborative research and solutions.
The practical component of the study took the GAFCSC team to the Dompim illegal mining site, where they observed firsthand the extent of land degradation associated with illegal mining.
The team subsequently visited AngloGold Ashanti’s Iduapriem Mine, where management presented its approach to regulated mining, land reclamation and rehabilitation, as well as social interventions in host communities, including support for health and education.
The two field visits provided the students with an opportunity to examine the environmental impacts of illegal mining alongside the practices and interventions associated with regulated large-scale mining.
The Municipal Assembly said the study tour and the findings from the engagement would support its efforts to address illegal mining and promote sustainable development in the municipality.
