TITLE PAGE

AN INVESTIGATION ON THE IMPACT OF GOLD MINING ON

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN KALANTHUBA CHIEFDOM,

TONKOLILI DISTRICT NORTH OF SIERRA LEONE.

By:

Esther Kulako Bangura

(commmunity development study department)

A dissertation submitted to the department of community development study in the

faculty of education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for award of a Bachelor

of Science Degree in community development study.

September/October, 2022.

I
 DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP

I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, to the best of my

knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by

another person nor material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the

award of any other degree or diploma at the Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science

and Technology (EBKUST) or any other educational institution, except where due

acknowledgment is made in the dissertation.

………………………………………………… ….. ………… ………

Name of Student and ID Signature Date

Certified by:

….……………………………………………. ……………… ….………

Name of Supervisor Signature Date

II
 ABSTRACT

This paper empirically investigate the impact of gold mining on agricultural

development in Kalanthuba chiefdom, Tonkolili district north of Sierra Leone. In

addition to sampling community perceptions of mining activities, the study prescribes

interventions that can assist in mitigating the negative impacts of mining like causing

of serious environmental destruction, land degradation and contamination of water

bodies and uncovered pits breeding mosquitoes.

The study employed qualitative and quantitative approach using a case study

sampling 50 respondents with a questionnaire to collect data.

Generally, study reveals that majority of the sampled respondents are jobless with loss

of labour from agriculture which affect food crop production. Respondents also

complaints high cost of living and low earning since the existence of mining activities.

MoA in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Energy should refill the

uncovered pits in the Kalathunba communities for farmers to reuse it again for food

production. So therefore the Ministry should extend its activities to the whole

Tonkolili District in other for them to reuse the land again for food production

especially rice production to promote food security. Marked environmental and

interrelated socio-economic improvements can be achieved within regional artisanal

gold mines if the government provides technical support to local operators,

regulations are improved, and illegal mining activity is reduced.

III
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE NO

a. Title page --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Declaration of authorship -------------------------------------------------------------

c. Abstract ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

d. Table of contents -----------------------------------------------------------------------

e. List of tables ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

f. Definition of terms and acronyms --------------------------------------------------

g. Acknowledgement --------------------------------------------------------------------

APPENDICES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Questionnaire -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER ONE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.0 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.1 Background ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.2 Statement of the problem --------------------------------------------------------------

1.3 Aim and Objective of the study -------------------------------------------------------

1.3.1 Aim of the Study ----------------------------------------------------------------------

1.3.2 Objectives of the study ----------------------------------------------------------------

1.4 Research questions -----------------------------------------------------------------------

1.5 Significance of the Study ----------------------------------------------------------------

1.7 Limitation and Delimitation of the study ----------------------------------------------

1.7.1 Limitations of the Study ---------------------------------------------------------------

1.7.2 Delimitation of the study --------------------------------------------------------------

1.8 Definition of key terms -------------------------------------------------------------------

1.9 Organization of the Study -----------------------------------------------------------

IV
CHAPTER TWO -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.0 Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.1 Review of Related Literature -------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER THREE --------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.0. Introduction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.1. Description of the study area ------------------------------------------------------------

3.2. Design of the study --------------------------- --------------------------------------------

3.3. Population and sample -------------------------------------------------------------------

3.4. Sources of data ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.5. Research instrument ---------------------------------------------------------------------

3.6. Data collection Procedure ------------------------------------------------------------

3.7. Data analysis ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER FOUR -------------------------------------------------------------------------

4.0 introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4.1 Results And Discussion ----------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER FIVE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

5.0 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5.1 Summary of the Previous Chapters --------------------------------------------------

5.2 Summary of the Research Findings From both Primary and Secondary Data ---

5.3 Conclusion --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5.4 Recommendations ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reference --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

V
 LIST OF TABLES

Table1. Sex distribution of respondents -------------------------------------------------

Table2. Agricultural enterprise in Kalanthuba chiefdom ------------------------------

Table3. Effect of gold mining Kalanthuba chiefdom -----------------------------------

Table4. Effect of gold mining on the livelihood Kalanthuba chiefdom---------------

VI
 DEFINITION OF TERMS AND ACRONYMS

ALPs ------------------- Agro-based alternative Livelihood Programmes

ASGM --------------- Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining

EBKUST ------------- Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology

NGO ----------------- Non-Governmental Organization

PRA ----------------------- Participatory Rural Appraisal

VII
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First things first, I give thanks and praises to the almighty God for taking me through

this course. I would equally like to thank my family, without whom I would not have

been able to complete this research, and without whom I would not have made it

through my Bachelors degree! My parents Mr. David A. Bangura and Madam

Worokia Bangura, equal kudos to my brothers and sisters for your continuing support

and courage over this. I would always remain grateful to my fiance Andrew A. L.

Kamara for his love and kindness showed to me, may God bless and protect you dear.

My special appreciations directly goes to Mr. John Abdul Kamara who took his time

behind the computer until the last dot needed was edited into this study. Another

special thanks to My supervisor Mr. J. S. Kanu for his precious time in guiding me on

this research. To my colleagues in campus to the entire departments, who have

supported me and had to put up with my stresses and moans for the past four years of

study! Additionally, I’m grateful to the entire Kalanthuba communities who helped

me supply raw data to this study! Finally, my biggest thanks to lecturers to the entire

Community Development study department for all the support you have shown me

through this research!

VIII
 APPENDIX 1

OFFICIAL USE ONLY

RESPONDENT NO…………………………….
VILLAGE ………………………………………….
SECTION ………………………………………….

AN INVESTIGATION ON THE IMPACT OF GOLD MINING ON

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN KALANTHUBA CHIEFDOM

TONKOLILI DISTRICT NORTH OF SIERRA LEONE

(A CASE STUDY)

Questionnaire

I wish to give the following Assurance of confidentiality . the information you give
will be strictly confidential.

1. Name …………………………………………………. Sex () Male ()

2. Name of village and section ……………………………………..
3. Do you engage in agriculture? (Circle as applied)

Yes …………………………………………………………….1

No ……………………………………………………………...2

4. If yes which type of agriculture do you engage? (circle as applied)

Crop production ……………………………………………….1

Animal production …………………………………………….2

Both crop and animal production ……………………………..3

5. How long have you been in agriculture? (circle as applied)

a) 5 - 10 years
b) 11 - 15 years
c) 16 - 20 years
d) Above 20 years
e) Other (specify)
6. Does gold mining in your locality affects your agriculture? (circle as applied)

Yes ……………………………………………………………..1

No ……………………………………………………………..2

IX
7. If yes, how does it affect you? (circle as applied)
a) Los of agricultural land
b) Involuntary dispplacement from ancestral land
c) Joblessness
d) Reduced crop/animal production
e) Socia-economic impoverishemnt
f) Loss of farm labour
g) Others (specify)
8. How does this affect your livelihood? (circle as applied)
High standard of living ……………………………………………1
Low/poor living standard ………………………………………….2
Average living standard ……………………………………………3

9. Do the mining companied provide agro-based alternatives livelihood programmes

to your affected communities?(circle as applied)
Yes …………………………………………………………………..1
No …………………………………………………………………...2

10. If yes, which agrobased alternative livelihood programme do they provide? (circle
as applied)
a) Small scale crop production
b) Small ruminants production
c) Small scale vegetables production
d) Agricultural credit co-operative sponshorship
e) Backyard potatoe garden
11. Do the agro-based alternative livelihood programmes improve your living
condition? (circle as applied)
Yes ……………………………………………………………………1
No ……………………………………………………………………..2
12. If yes, how do they improve your living condition? (circle as applied)
Highly improved ……………………………………………………….1
Moderately improved …………………………………………………..2
Less improved ………………………………………………………….3

X
13. Would you like the mining companies to provide other means apart from agro-
based althernative livelihood programmes as asolution to the challenges posed? (circle
as applied)
a) The settlements/relocation of displaced communities
b) Compensation for lost trees and crops
c) Equitable distribution of surface rent amongst land owing families
d) Gender considerations in the land negotiations

XI
 CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction

This chapter presents the brief background of the study and it highlights on the

research problem statement, the objectives and the research questions, it also focuses

on the structure of the report.

1.1 Background

Sierra Leone is a small country located on the West Coast of Africa; it has a

population of 8,182,224 people as of Saturday October 9, 2021 ( based on the

Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations Data), and possesses fertile land

with an abundance of natural resources. For administrative convenience the country is

divided into five administrative regions; these provinces are Eastern Province, the

Northern Province, Southern Province, North West Province and Western Area.

These have been further divided into nineteen local councils with prospects of an

increase in their numbers (Government of Sierra Leone).

The recent history of the country is, unfortunately, characterized by civil war between

1991 and 2002 in which the country lost most of its social, economic and physical

infrastructure. Since the end of the war, Sierra Leone has made a remarkable recovery

and has proceeded to rebuilding the country. It has several advantages in all areas

from the restoration of security to the delivery of basic public services (Government

of Sierra Leone, 2003). The country has experienced an unprecedented change in the

system of governance. Great efforts have been made to address the reasons that threw

the country into such a prolong war. One of the many reasons is mining.

1
Mining is a major lucrative activity in many developing countries. Sierra Leone is

endowed with abundant mineral resources such as gold, diamond, bauxite and

blackstone and Africa’s second most important producer of gold (Wikipedia). Mining

activities in gold-rich regions can be traced back to the days of colonialism when

Sierra Leone was called the Anthem of Africa. Mining industry was made lucrative

because of the competitive price of gold on the international market in developing

countries and this triggered a boom. Small- scale mining is a largely poverty driven

activity (Edwin and Gabriel, 2012).

According to a study revealed by (Mabey PT et al, 2020), on Environmental Impacts:

Local Perspectives of Selected Mining Edge Communities in Sierra

Leone, Sustainability indicated that while the rural development consequences of

Zimbabwe’s Fast Track Land Reform Programme have been heavily debated, there

had been a dearth of literature that focused on the post-land reform inter-relations

between artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) and farming. This article

discusses the growing ASGM sector, encapsulated by the phrase ‘mari

yaputika’/‘gold has detonated’, examining the impacts of ‘liberating’ mineral

resources in farming areas that were inaccessible to the rural poor. Drawing on

research in Mhondoro Ngezi District, study argued for more subtle understandings of

smallholder farming/ASGM linkages in relation to changing labour and class

dynamics, challenging accounts that under-recognise the multifaceted

interconnectedness of artisanal mining and farming as in the case of Sierra Leone

Tonkolili district.

2
In a similar study conducted by (Hilson, G., & Garforth, C. 2012), on “Agricultural

Poverty” and the Expansion of Artisanal Mining in Sub-Saharan Africa; also showed

why do people engage in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) labour-intensive

mineral extraction and processing activity across sub-Saharan Africa? This paper argued

that 'agricultural poverty', or hardship induced by an over dependency on farming for

survival, has fuelled the recent rapid expansion of ASM operations throughout the region.

The diminished viability of smallholder farming in an era of globalization and

overreliance on rain-fed crop production restricted by seasonality had led hundreds of

thousands of rural African families to ' branch out' into ASM, a move made to secure

supplementary incomes. Experiences from Komana West in Southwest Mali and East

Akim District in Southeast Ghana are drawn upon to illustrate how a movement into the

ASM economy has impacted farm families, economically, in many rural stretches of sub-

Saharan Africa including Sierra Leone.

It is against this background that this study was thus designed to investigate the effect

of gold mining on agriculture in a town called Tonkolili district norther region of

Sierra Leone. Hence, there is a very big necessity to engage on such a study for

solutions on the impacts and agro-based alternative livelihood in Sierra Leone as a

whole.

1.2 Statement of the problem

The study focuses on the impact of gold mining on agricultural development in

Kalanthuba chiefdom, Tonkolili district Sierra Leone. Details of this can be found in

the next section. The Northern Region presents the ideal case for the study as it has

the highest concentration of gold mines in Sierra Leone and also makes significant

contributions to agriculture in the country. The focus is on a case study in the

3
Kalanthuba chiefdom, of the Northern Region, but looks at the broader effects of

mining on agriculture in the whole region.

In mineral-rich countries, particularly developing countries, the mineral sector plays

an important role. In Sierra Leone, mining contributes about 41% of the total export

earnings and 12% of government revenue. However, gold mining can negatively

impact on other sectors such as agriculture. Mining in Sierra Leone usually takes

place in rural communities where the people are poor and depend on the utilisation of

natural resources and subsistence farming. These areas are also important agricultural

production centres for the country. For example, in the Kalanthuba chiefdom,

(Tonkolili District), where agriculture is the main economic activity, engaging some

40% of the population, about 70% of the total land area has been leased as

concessions to mining companies. Smallholder farming is the main form of

agriculture in Sierra Leone, with 90% of the farms being less than two hectares in size.

Agriculture is very important to the economy of Sierra Leone and rural livelihoods.

The agricultural sector accounted for 35% of Sierra Leone's Gross Domestic Product

(GDP) in 2009 and employs about 60% of the country's labour force. Few studies

have considered the effects of leasing such large amounts of land in a major

agricultural production area.

Studies on the effects of mining in Sierra Leone have focused on small-scale mining

and on the environment. The few studies on the effects of gold mining on agriculture

have centred on pollution, loss of agricultural land and labour migration from

agriculture to mining companies. Studies focusing extensively on the combination of

these factors (i.e. loss of agricultural land due to gold mining and labour migration to

mining companies) on agricultural production in Sierra Leone are lacking.

4
Although Samuel M. et el in his paper empirically investigates the socio-economic

and environmental impacts of mining in Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone. In addition

to sampling community perceptions of mining activities, the study prescribes

interventions that can assist in mitigating the negative impacts of mining. Marked

environmental and interrelated socio-economic improvements can be achieved within

regional artisanal diamond and gold mines if the government provides technical

support to local operators, regulations are improved, and illegal mining activity is

reduced

1.3 Aim and Objective of the study

1.3.1 Aim of the Study

The aim of this research is to investigate the impact of gold mining on agricultural

development in Kalanthuba chiefdom, Tonkolili district north of Sierra Leone.

1.3.2 Objectives of the study

This study reviews and compiles data on the effects of loss of agricultural land due to

gold mining on agriculture in Sierra Leone through the following objectives:

a. To examine the effects of gold mining on farmer’s livelihoods in Kalanthuba

Chiefdom, Tonkolili District Region of Sierra Leone;

b. To identify the agro-based alternative livelihood programmes provided by mining

companies to affected communities to Kalanthuba Chiefdom;.

c. To examine the impact of the agro-based alternative livelihood programmes on

the living conditions of the farmers.

d. To profer solutions to the problems of gold mining in Kalanthuba chiefdom.

5
1.4 Research questions

i. What are the approaches and challenges of agro-based alternative livelihood

programmes provided by mining companies to affected communities in the

Kalanthuba chiefdom, Tonkolili district.

ii. What proportion of agricultural land lost due to gold mining in the Tonkolili

district of the Northern Region and the impacts on agriculture.

iii. What are the effects of loss of agricultural land due to larg-scale gold mining on

farmer’s livelihoods in

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study will help others to know the impact of gold mining on agricultural

development in Kalanthuba chiefdom, Tonkolili district north of Sierra Leone.

It will also be of great importance to identify and explore the approaches and

challenges of agro-based alternative livelihood programmes provided by mining

companies to affected communities. It will help government, to determine the

proportion of agricultural land lost due to gold mining and; to determine the effects of

loss of agricultural land due to gold mining on farmers' livelihoods.

This study will also help the researcher to give meaningful recommendations on the

topic of investigation. It will also help potential researcher(s) wishing to undertake

research on the same or similar topic

6
1.7 Limitation and Delimitation of the study

1.7.1 Limitations of the Study

The researcher was unable to include all miners and agriculturists who reside at

Kalanthuba in the study. This is because not all of these people were available during

the time of the research process.

Additionally, the time during which the research was carried out coincided with the

outbreak of the fuel crisis originated from the Ukraine versus Russia war which made

life and activities almost impossible both globally and locally. This reality made the

research process almost impossible due to the numerous price inflation and fuel

shortages, among others.

Moreover, in the course of the research, most of the subjects concerned were hard to

contact due to personal reasons. Some were almost economically crumpled and

cannot make it at the study site due to the sky rocketing of transportation fares

ravaging the country. Hence, the researcher was faced with all these numerous

difficulties in collecting the primary data.

1.7.2 Delimitation of the study

The researcher chose to limit this research to 50 respondents (all Kalanthuba

chiefdom, Tonkolili district of adult age) at Kalanthuba town to represent the entire

population as time was not enough to cover every single person.

Additionally, all of the 50 respondents involved in the study had experienced on gold

mining and the impact of mining on agricultural activities. The use of structured

questionnaires and in-depth interviews were tools that aided the collection of data.

7
1.8 Definition of key terms

Mining - Mining" is the discovery of new bitcoins—just like finding gold. You can

do mining on your own or join a mining "pool", where a number of people combine

their processing resources and take a share of the rewards (Cambridge University Pres)

Agricultural activities -means agricultural uses and practices including, but not

limited to: Producing, breeding, or increasing agricultural products; rotating and

changing agricultural crops; allowing land used for agricultural activities to lie fallow

in which it is plowed and tilled but left unseeded; allowing land used for agricultural

activities to lie dormant as a result of adverse agricultural market conditions; allowing

land used for agricultural activities to lie dormant because the land is enrolled in a

local, state, or federal conservation program, or the land is subject to a conservation

easement; conducting agricultural operations; maintaining, repairing, and replacing

agricultural equipment; maintaining, repairing, and replacing agricultural facilities,

provided that the replacement facility is no closer to the shoreline than the original

facility; and maintaining agricultural lands under production or cultivation.

Development - The process in which someone or something grows or changes and

becomes more advanced: healthy growth and development, (Cambridge University

Pres).

Land- the surface of the earth that is not covered by water: It is cheaper to drill for oil

on land than at sea.

1.9 Organization of the Study

This work is organized in five chapters. The first chapter of the study contains the

introduction, background information of the study, problem statement, research aim

8
and objectives, research questions and limitations of the study, significance of the

study. The number two chapter which happens to be the literature review examines

the work of other researchers which provide a source of understanding the concept

definitions theories and empirical evidence of the topic. The third chapter deals with

methodology and procedures used to gather the relevant information to answer the

research questions raised in chapter one. The forth chapter deals with the result

presentation, discussion and interpretation of the summarized information. Finally, the

fifth chapter contains the summary of the major findings of the study, conclusion and

recommendations.

9
 CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.0 Introduction

This chapter deals with the review of other related studies conducted in trying to

source out answers to several investigations. The chapter present these reviews

according to the research objectives and questions.

2.1 Review of Related Literature

In a study by (Sigismond A., 2019) which examined “mining-induced displacement

and resettlement (MIDR) in rutile mining communities in Sierra Leone”, drawing

from mining and resettlement literature and utilizing political ecology and the

impoverishment risk and reconstruction (IRR) model. Result obtained from sixty

participants in Kanga and Madina Villages in Bonthe District, Sierra Leone in May

and December 2016 showed that the execution of MIDR has primarily contributed to

sustained social and economic impoverishment rather than improved the

socioeconomic condition of resettled communities. Sustained impoverishment

included loss of land-based resources with an adverse impact on the local livelihoods,

joblessness and marginalization of the affected persons with reference to

compensation for lost property. However, study continued that such outcomes have

reinforced unequal power relations over the processes surrounding involuntary

displacement and the resettlement of displaced communities, to the disadvantage of

relocated communities. Nevertheless, close examination of the resettlement effect on

local actors revealed that chiefs, who are the traditional leaders, derived substantial

socioeconomic benefits during resettlement, unlike women and youths who faced

social and economic impoverishment. The study called for the inclusion and active

10
involvement of landowners in determining the modality for compensation for lost

trees and crops, which may include a new policy wherein affected persons will

receive an annual payment for economic trees until the rehabilitation of mined-out

areas. It also underscores the need to formulate legislation that ensures the provision

of alternative livelihoods for relocated persons, which would potentially enhance the

reconstruction of affected communities.

Similarly, in another research juxtaposed by (Grasian M. & Samuel S., 2019) on

“Artisanal Gold Mining and Farming: Livelihood Linkages and Labour Dynamics

after Land Reforms in Zimbabwe” indicated that while the rural development

consequences of Zimbabwe’s Fast Track Land Reform Programme have been heavily

debated, there is a dearth of literature focusing on the post-land reform inter-relations

between artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) and farming. The article

discussed the growing ASGM sector, encapsulated by the phrase ‘mari

yaputika’/‘gold has detonated’, examined the impacts of ‘liberating’ mineral resources

in farming areas previously inaccessible to the rural poor. Drawing on research in

Mhondoro Ngezi District, they argued for more subtle understandings of smallholder

farming/ASGM linkages in relation to changing labour and class dynamics,

challenging accounts that under-recognise the multifaceted interconnectedness of

artisanal mining and farming.

Also, Cartier, Laurent & Bürge, Michael. (2011) on “Agriculture and artisanal gold

mining in Sierra Leone” article explored a number of the productivity and marketing

difficulties that hindered the establishment of sustainable livelihoods in small-scale

agriculture in Sierra Leone. The emergence of the artisanal gold mining and trading

11
sector in the central part of the country and synergies between farming and mining

cycles are discussed. It is argued that small-scale agriculture and artisanal mining are

not livelihood alternatives but are instead livelihood complements. The potentially

catalysing role of gold income in reinvigorating non-mining activities is critically

examined.The (2011) findings that explained the differing profitability of farming

and mining are presented. Finally, a policy outlook is offered on how these fragile

dynamics could be harnessed to promote sustainable livelihoods in rural Sierra Leone.

According to Wangari M.,(2015) on the study “Mining impact on communities’

livelihoods”, Mining had been blamed globally for harmful and impoverished effects.

The study further stated that most countries are rich sources of gemstone, yet there is

very little development , since miners, and those around mining sites, still lived in

abject poverty of which Sierra Leone is not an exception to. Wangari Maathai study

soughed answers on: “how mining activities have affected communities’

livelihoods?”. The researcher used a Structured questionnaires that were administered

through mobile technology, to randomly selected respondents from 173 out of 990

households, followed by a one-on-one focused discussions with Key Informants. Both

groups were purposively selected. The study found that there is no proper mining

regulatory system in Kenya. There is also no control of the intrusive influx of

migrants from other counties into the mining areas of Taita or regulations for best

mining practices. Wangari M., (2015) also founds that mining did not help some of

the households, to acquire assets, even though it enhanced ability to meet their day to

day needs, but mining pits, poor rehabilitation and large-scale mining have caused a

loss of agricultural land resulted in reduced crop yields and poor living standards. The

study again revealed that, Some established mining companies in the area did not

12
compensate, or share their accrued revenues nor did they supported development

projects as was expected. Therefore, the improvement brought about by mining was

not sustainable to communities’ livelihood. The study recommended diversification of

economic activities for livelihood improvement, to reduce poverty, equitable

distribution of benefits and costs needed to be considered as essential. In addtition to

the study recommendation, environmental and social impact assessment, as a legal

framework to regulate the mining operations, should be enforced in Africa.

In a similar study investigated by (Temeng, Victor, Abew, Josep, 2009) on “Mine

closures usually result in ghost communities and ultimately leave people in poverty”

as a results from the failure of governments and mining companies in providing

adequate measures for alternative livelihood projects (ALPs) for the communities.

The study revealed how the Minerals Commission of Ghana identified the ALPs in

2002 as a way of alleviating these problems. The Commission had therefore made it

an obligation for all mining companies to assist their host communities in ALPs. The

study reviewed some ALPs being pursued by mining companies and their

effectiveness. The researchers investigated the livelihood of people living in mining

communities before, during and after mining operations. According to the researchers,

Field visits were undertaken and participatory action research was used to administer

questionnaire to mining companies and host communities in the former Wassa West

and Upper Denkyira districts. The study findings showed that the ALPs have been

averagely and patchily successful because there had been lack of due diligence to

fully assess markets, communities' livelihood systems, experiences and knowledge

base. There was also inadequate community participation and lack of funding beyond

the initial stage of mining company support.

13
A study on “Are Alternative Livelihood Projects Alleviating Poverty in Mining

Communities?” conducted by ( Hilson, G., & Banchirigah, S., 2009), critiques the

approach being taken in Ghana to implement Alternative Livelihood (AL) projects in

mining communities. The Study proved that rapid insurgence of illegal artisanal gold

mining had forced policymakers to think more creatively about ways in which to deal

with mounting unemployment in the country's rural areas. Added to this, most of the

economic activities being promoted, however, have proved highly unpopular with

target groups. The adopted policy approaches reflect how little in tune the

organisations championing AL activities are with the mindsets and ambitions of rural

populations, study stated.

In another study “The impacts of gold mining on the welfare of local farmers in

Asutifi-North District in Ghana” conducted by (Worlanyo, Sikapaam I,. et al, 2022)

also indicated that farming is the major economic activity of the people in the Asutifi-

North District of Ghana however, farmers in this District are mainly characterized by

small-farm holdings of less than 3 acres per farmer as a result of shrinking agricultural

land due to increasing small and large-scale mining in the District. Study showed over

the years, mining had become the major competitor to farming in terms of land-use

conversion within the District. Though mining activities have led to several land-use

conversions, little or no studies have been done in that regard. The study said although

studies over the years have focused on the environmental impacts of mining, but with

less emphasis on the impacts of mining on farmers' welfare. Their study examined the

factors influencing farmers' participation in land-use conversion for mining, its

impacts on farmers' welfare, and the criteria of compensation given to affected

farmers by the large-scale mine. Multi-staged sampling comprising both purposive

14
and random sampling techniques was employed to gather data from 300 farmers in 5

mining communities in the district. The Results indicated that variables such as

farmer's age, sex, distance from household to farm, farmer's experienced, total land

size, and distance to the nearest access road were factors that influenced farmers'

decision to participate in land-use conversion. Also, participants of land-use

conversion had an annual income of $31.68 more than the non-participants however,

their incomes were not sustainable hence compelling them into illegal mining.

A study that investigated and described “the Effects of Loss of Agricultural Land Due

to Large-Scale Gold Mining on Agriculture in Ghana” done by (Jnr. et al,2015). The

study was a desk review of secondary data including peer-reviewed journals, e-books,

conference proceedings, multinational company reports, and ministry and NGO

reports. The data was analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Analysis of

the agro-based alternative livelihood programmes (ALPs) provided by large-scale

gold mining companies to their stakeholder communities showed high start-up cost,

insufficient earnings and lack of proper consultation hindered their success. The agro-

based ALPs were also found to be focused on cash crop development to the neglect of

traditional food crops. A case study of the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality of the

Western Region revealed a trend of decreasing agricultural land on mining companies'

concessions as mining related activities increased. This contributed to joblessness and

the loss of labour from agriculture to other livelihoods in the mining communities.

Their study concluded that the effects of loss of agricultural land due to large-scale

gold mining on food crop production in the mining communities can be substantial.

Also this could affect food crop production in Ghana in the longer term, as the mining

communities are also important food production centres.

15
 CHAPTER THREE

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

3.0 Introduction

This chapter presents to the methods and procedures used in conduct of this study

which include:

 Description of the study area

 The research design

 Population and sampling

 Instrumentation and

 Data analysis.

3.1 Description of the study area

Kalanthuba chiefdom is located at the Tonkolili District. Tonkolili District, the

dominant indigenous tribe is the Temne group, which comprises mainly socio-cultural

agro-pastoralists. The district comprises eleven chiefdoms, with Magburaka as the

capital, and Mile 91, the commercial center. Tonkolili is strategically located in the

center of Sierra Leone, and is crossed by many rivers including the Pampana River

and Sierra Leone's longest river; the Rokel. The district has both highlands and

lowlands. The highlands rise up to 700 feet, and are the highest in Sambaia Bendugu

chiefdom. It is from these hills that the major rivers in the district have their sources.

The rest of the district is lowland which occupies a greater part of the district and is

appropriate for rice production. In the past, the district was covered with thick forests,

16
but due to increased farming and mining activities, and the use of slash and burn

methods of cultivation, the forests have gradually given way to grass lands.

3.2 Design of the study

This study is non-experimental design. The study collected both qualitative and

quantitative data. It is descriptive in nature and numbers and percentages were used to

report the findings. The research comprised detailed discussions of the responses from

farmers, petty traders, construction workers and miners as respondents for the study.

3.3 Population and sample

The population for this study included 100 participants taken from five communities

within the Kalanthuba chiefdom. The participants were mainly farmers. The study

employed a basic random sampling method to select the 50 respondents. For the

random sampling method, the researcher deemed it best to be employed since it is

commonly regarded as the best method for selecting subjects for a study (Saul

McLeod, 2019). The basic random sampling method was applied by taking a list of

young men and few ladies who primarily depends on gold mining. Hence, the

researcher had no choice but to work with those available within the mining site at the

time of the research process.

3.4 Sources of data

The data used in this study was derived from both primary and secondary sources.

The primary sources were obtained from direct contact with the respondents in the

field through open-ended questions and interviews. Personal observations were used

to verify some of the variables from the interviews and questionnaires. The secondary

17
data was obtained from publications, textbooks, journals, periodicals, the internet and

line ministries.

3.5 Research instrument

The major instrument used in this research was questionnaires developed by the

researcher and reviewed several times for reliability taken into account the specific

objectives of the study. To obtain validity of the questionnaire, it was presented in

Magburaka town and similar interpretations were given. Due to the low education

level of most of the respondents, direct interview was also used as an instrument and

the researcher visited the study area several times to observe and verify the variables.

3.6 Data collection Procedure

Data for this study was collected through the research instrument (questionnaire)

which was hand delivered to the 50 respondents and collected in similar manner. Most

of the questionnaires were administered through the interview methods and if any

item was misunderstood, the researcher endeavored to explain and ensure that

relevant data was collected from every selected sample and the objectives of the study

were adequately addressed. The indigenous languages of the people were used as

medium of communication and the responses written in English.

3.7 Data analysis

Since the study is purely descriptive in nature, the data collected were analysed and

tabulated using numbers and percentages.

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 CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.0 introduction

The presentation and analysis of data were grouped under the following headings:

1. Sex distribution of respondents and types of agricultural enterprise they engage in.

2. Effect of gold mining.

3. Agro-based alternatives livelihood programmes provided by mining companies.

4. Solutions to the problems/challenges posed by mining companies.

SEX DISTIBUTION AND TYPE OF AGRICULTURE

The researcher wanted to know the sex distribution of the respondents and the type of

agriculture they do as shown in tables 1 and 2.

Table 4.1

SEX DISTRIBUTION

N = 50

Sex of respondents Number of respondents Percentage (%)

Male 17 34

Female 33 66

Total 50 100

Source: field survey, 2022.

From table one, 66 percent of the respondents are female while 34 percent are male.

This shows that there are more female and male farmers.

AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE

The researcher was interested in knowing the type of agriculture the respondents are

engaging in as shown in table 2.

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 Table 4.2

AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE

Enterprise Number of respondents Percentage (%)

Animal production 7 14

Crop production 33 66

Both animal and crop production 10 20

Total 50 100

Source: field survey, 2022.

From the table above, 14 percentage of the respondents are doing animal production,

66 percentage are doing crop production while 26 percentage are both animals and

crops engaging in production then in the other agricultural enterprises.

EFFECT OF GOLD MINING

The researcher was interested in finding out the number of farmers that are affected

by gold mining and which type of effects as shown in tables 3 and 4.

Table 4.3

EFFECT OF GOLD MINING

Effect of gold mining Number of respondents Percentage (%)

Loss of agricultural land 37 74

Joblessness 3 6

Reduced crop/ animal production 6 12

Socio-economic impoverishment 1 2

Loss of farm labour 3 6

Others 0

Total 50 100

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Source: field survey, 2022.

From table 3, research reveal that 74 percent of respondents indicated on the loss of

agricultural land followed by 6 percent of respondents who noted that there is reduced

crop/animal production. Also 3 percent of respondents indicated about joblessness as

well as other 3 percent respondents on the loss of farm labour due to gold mining.

Table 4.4

EFFECT OF GOLD MINING ON THE LIVELIHOOD

Effect on livelihood Number of respondents Percentage (%)

High standard of living 41 82

Low/poor living standard 9 18

Average living standard 0 0

Source: field survey, 2022.

The table four above still explain the effect of gold mining but it’s directly point out

on the livelihood of people in the case study area. In exactly 41 respondents stated

about high standard of living followed by 9 of 19 percent of respondents indicated

about low or poor living standard. Finally, o percent shows there is not even an

average living standard existing in this mining areas posed to the case study as a result

of gold mining in Kalanthuba chiefdom.

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 CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.0 Introduction

The chapter highlights the summary, conclusion and recommendation of the study as

drawn from the findings and discussions that came up from the research. The

observations made by the researcher throughout the study have also been used.

5.1 Summary of the Previous Chapters

The chapter one of this work contains the general background information, problem

statement, research objectives, significance of the study, limitations and delimitation

of the study. In chapter two, the work of some authors and writers and the opinions of

some authors cited were reviewed. Chapter three reflects the methods used for data

collection, population and sample size, sampling procedures and data analysis. Finally,

chapter four dealt with data presentation and analysis and discussion of findings.

5.2 Summary of the Research Findings From both Primary and Secondary Data

The main objective of the study was to investigate the impact of gold mining on

agricultural development in Kalanthuba chiefdom, Tonkolili district north of Sierra

Leone. It was noted from the information gathered that out of the 50 surveys

questionnaire directed to respondents in the case study 50 were all filled and returned.

This translated to 100% responses rate which is viewed excellent. This was due to the

one-on-one administration of the questionnaire.

Since measuring the standard of living was the main aim of the study on gold mining,

demographic characteristics of the respondents such as gender, age, household size

and age category were all examined. The study found out that majority of the

22
respondents were women engaged in farming table 4.1. It was also revealed that the

majority of respondents were found in the mining communities.

As a measure of livelihood, factors such as decrease earnings, low food production,

health issues environment and unequal benefits were all examined in order to measure

the livelihood of the respondents. The results of this research show a significant

impact of gold mining on respondents. This supports the literature which identifies a

negative impact of gold mining in the livelihood of affected people(Sigismond A.,

2019, Grasian M. & Samuel S., 2019)

The study reveals that majority of the sampled respondents indicated about loss of

agricultural land and joblessness with loss of labour from agriculture which affect

food crop production. Respondents also complaints high cost of living and low

earning since the existence of mining activities as seen tables 4.3 and 4.4 which is

supported by (Wangari M.,2015, Worlanyo, Sikapaam I,. et al, 2022) studies.

5.3 Conclusion.

The discovery of gold in Kalanthuba chiefdom Tonkolili District has attracted a lot of

people from the community, its environs and foreigners (Chinese) into the community

to mine for gold and most of the miners mine illegally.

The study revealed that large-scale gold mining results in the loss of agricultural land

in Sierra Leone. The loss was found to be about half of the three concessions studied

(Tarkwa, Bogoso/Prestea and Damang concessions). As compensation in the form of

alternative land does not usually take place, the area lost may represent a substantial

portion of the affected communities' farmlands. A trend of decreasing agricultural

land as mining activities increase on concessions was also found, which implies

23
available agricultural land may be lost in future. ALPs initiated by the mining

companies to offset the effects of their operations on the host communities were also

found to be hindered by challenges.

However, it was frequently observed that mine pits contributed to an abandoning of

agro-pastoral systems in mining communities, findings which suggest that mining

activities have a negative socio-cultural impact on the livelihoods of local people in

the affected areas of Kalanthuba chiefdom, Tonkolili District.

5.4 Recommendations.

Based on the conclusion, the following strategic recommendation can be observed by

Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders.

MoA in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Energy should refill the

uncovered pits in the Kalathunba communities for farmers to reuse it again for food

production. So therefore the Ministry should extend its activities to the whole

Tonkolili District in other for them to reuse the land again for food production

especially rice production to promote food security.

Since most farmers are not well educated about the social and environmental

consequences of small-scale mining, land owners and MoA through the District

Mines Office should come together to intensify the education on the environmental

consequences of illegal gold mining that might affect food production leading to food

unavailability.

As a strategy to eliminate illegal mining in the community, youth in agriculture and

block farming programmes should be introduce by MoA in other to make agriculture

attractive to boost food production leading to increase food availability in the area.

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Although the study was to gain insight into the effect of gold mining on the loss of

land on agriculture, further understanding was recognized on the health hazards it has

brought to the people leaving around the mining sites and food availability. Future

research can also look at the effects of mining on the health of the people.

25
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