{
  "id": 15449061,
  "title": "Small-scale mining must not leave ‘residue of death’ – Prof Stephen Adei",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/small-scale-mining-must-not-leave-residue-of-death-prof-stephen-adei",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T16:27:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/small-scale-mining-must-not-leave-residue-of-death-prof-stephen-adei/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana's former University Rector, Professor Stephen Adei, has warned against the negative environmental impact of small-scale mining, insisting that the practice should not result in \"residue of death\". Speaking at the 37th CIMG Annual National Marketing Performance Awards in Accra, Prof Adei urged the government to enforce responsible mining practices, urging authorities not to halt small-scale mining but to ensure it's conducted in a safe and sustainable manner.\n\nHe highlighted the growth in Ghana's gold production, which rose from 63 tonnes in 2024 to 103 tonnes in 2025, largely due to improved capture of production from small-scale miners after the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). Prof Adei said this progress helped bring more gold into the formal system and address concerns about gold being exported overseas without being counted towards the country's official production figures.\n\nHowever, he cautioned that while the increase in gold exports was beneficial, it was crucial that this did not come at the expense of environmental damage, such as poisoned rivers and ruined farmlands. Prof Adei pointed out that small-scale mining accounted for more than half of Ghana's gold exports the previous year, yet the state collected no mineral royalties from the sector. He stressed that while favorable international gold prices contributed to the economic gains, a significant drop in prices could pose challenges.\n\nProfessor Adei's remarks came as the country celebrated its strides in gold production, but he emphasized that economic gains should not overshadow the environmental and financial costs imposed by irresponsible mining practices. He argued that Ghana could maintain high gold production while implementing safeguards to protect the environment and public health.",
  "summary": "Former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Professor Stephen Adei, has urged the government to enforce responsible small-scale mining practices, warning that Ghana’s gold production must not come at the cost of poisoned rivers, destroyed farmlands and environmental damage.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Ghana must turn economic stability into transformation – Prof Stephen Adei",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/ghana-must-turn-economic-stability-into-transformation-prof-stephen",
        "published": "2026-10-18T16:20:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}