THE STATE OF GOLD MINING IN GHANA

With auriferous belts that cover about 51 800 km2 of its small area of 239 400 km2, it is no surprise that Ghana was called the Gold Coast b efore gaining independence from Great Britain in 1957. Gold has been m ined since the fifteenth century. From 1493 to 1600 the Gold Coast was responsible for 35.5% of the entire world's production of gold. This percentage dropped to 8.9% during the period 1701-1800. For the past 1 5 years annual production has averaged not more than 2% of the world t otal. The fall in output persisted to the extent that by 1985 there we re only four operating gold mines in the country, compared to 45 in 19 34 and 11 in 1945. Since 1987 Ghana has been experiencing a boom in go ld mining activities. Today as many as 83 new companies, of which 18 a re foreign-owned, have acquired prospecting licences. At least five ne w companies have started production, bringing the number of large-scal e mining companies to nine. In addition, about 650 licensed small-scal e mining groups are in operation. The economic and technological facto rs that have contributed to the decline of gold production in Ghana ar e discussed and a summary is given of the methods that are used to min e and recover gold, from small-scale workings through dredging and ope ncast operations to underground mining. The advantages and disadvantag es of these technologies and the future of gold mining in Ghana are co nsidered.