Galamsey
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A galamsey is a local artisanal gold miner in Ghana, West Africa. Galamseys are people who do gold mining independent of mining companies, digging small workings (pits, tunnels and sluices) by hand. Generally they can only dig to a limited depth, far shallower and smaller than commercial mining companies. Under current Ghana law, it is illegal for galamseys to dig on land granted to mining companies as concessions or licenses. Most galamseys find gold in free metallic dust form or they process oxide or sulphide gold ore using liquid mercury. The number of galamseys in Ghana is unknown, but it is believed to be from 20,000 to 50,000. As a group, they are economically disadvantaged; galamsey settlements are usually poorer than neighboring agricultural villages. They have high rates of accidents and are exposed to mercury poisoning from their crude processing methods. In some cases, galamseys are the first to discover and work extensive gold deposits before mining companies find out and take over, and galamsey workings are an indicator of the presence of gold. In the francophone countries surrounding Ghana, similar local artisanal gold miners are called "orpailleurs".
External link: Mining in Ghana – Golden future for the galamsey: http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=MjQyMzg
