Illegal mining

[5] Despite strategic developments towards "responsible mining," even big companies can be involved in illegal mineral digging and extraction, if only on the financing side.

[7] Organized crime groups lead and control illegal mining activity in extremely rural areas where the state does not have full jurisdiction over the land.

The laws and procedures surrounding mining lessen the impact on the environment and are violated by large and artisanal small-scaling contributing to environmental damage.

[13] There have been many efforts to protect and rehabilitate forest ecosystems in recent years to prevent and limit the effects of deforestation.

[12] (3) When large amounts of mining waste such as rock, sediment and soil that lacks nutrients are dumped onto the land it stops the growth of plants.

[12] Poorly contained mining tails are hazardous to the environment because there are no efforts to treat the soil to get rid of toxic chemicals.

Organized crime groups such as drug cartels realized the profitability and began to illegally mine precious metals.

[7] Illegal mining operations controlled by organized crime groups are hazardous to the miners but many are drawn to the work due to the effect it has on the surrounding environment.

[16] Flooding depletes soil fertility, increases erosion and affects the farmer's ability to grow cocoas trees.

These factors contribute to farmers’ fear of losing their livelihood due to the losses that are caused by illegal mining.

[17] Spurred by widespread poverty and a lack of alternative income-earning opportunities, illegal artisanal mining is a well-documented phenomenon in sub-Saharan Africa.

While legalization opportunities for artisanal and small-scale mining are often available, inefficient government bureaucracy structures can make noncompliance more appealing for workers.

The use of mercury in illegal mining is contaminating the soil, water and air harming surrounding communities and the wildlife living in the forest.

This gold laundering task is generally facilitated by middlemen who falsify documentation to ease the transition into the legitimate international marketplace.

Such issues span encroachment of forest areas, underpayment of government royalties, and conflict with tribals regarding land rights.

[23] In Ghana, the government has put together a task force that was created to remove all illegal mining operations due to the environmental problems it has caused.

[24] The environmental and water quality deterioration caused the President of Ghana to make a press release to explain the urgency and need for public support to aid in fixing the problem.

Illegal mining is an employment option for men and women with no education and it is an easy way to make quick money.