Mining our lives out: A food security approach to mining operation in Asutifi District of Ghana

Mining in the Asutifi district began in 2003 when Newmont Gold mining (GH) Limited started mining gold. Since then, the company’s operations have continued to expand covering large areas of land that falls in their concessions. This study analyses the mining operations of Newmont in the Asutifi district and how their operations are affecting the livelihood of the residents of the district. Using a quantitative approach, self-administered structured questionnaires were distributed to 150 respondents and responses analysed. Focus group discussions members were also selected randomly but with much consideration to their social background. Seven people were selected to be on the group including an opinion leader in the district, three migrants but resident in the district and three other indigenous residents in the Asutifi District. An Independent Sample T-Test was used to test the relationship between mining operations and food production in the Asutifi district and a Chi Square (χ2) test used to test if there is a difference in how the livelihoods of both natives and non-natives are affected. For both tests, the result indicated a no statistically significant and difference between mining and food production and also how both natives and non-natives are affected since mining started. Although mining has affected residents in some ways, it cannot be concluded that it poses food security threat or risk to the residents of Asutifi district.