The purpose of this study was to assess the risks caused by illegal gold miningactivities (galamsey) in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality in Ghana with RemoteSensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Satellite imagerytogether with vegetation indices and the Australian Water Observation from Space(WOFS) algorithm was used to identify 3577 cells of potential galamsey sites in thePrestea Huni-Valley municipality. Eight mining risk factors (proximity to galamseysites, rivers, forests, urban areas, static water level, precipitation, erosion, andslope) were considered as important factors to assess galamsey induced risks usingMulticriteria Analysis (MCA) and GISwaps. Analytic Hierarchy Process was used togenerate criteria weights and proximity to galamsey sites obtained the largestweight. Sensitivity Analysis performed showed that the criteria used were robustalthough slope was particularly sensitive. In GISwaps, trade-offs were performed insix steps to cancel out the criteria until one remained. Risk maps obtained from bothmethods were fairly consistent as forest areas, rivers, and urban areas were found tobe in the highest risk zones in MCA and GISwaps. Further investigations must beundertaken to protect human life as well as to protect water and forest resources.

ABSTRACT The aim of the study is to assess the Socio-economic and environmental implications of small-scale mining activities including illegal operations in the Manso Abore in the Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. SSM is an abbreviation that represents Small Scale Mining. The local term used to describe small-scale illegal mining in Ghana is Galamsey. Survey questionnaires were used to collect data from 65 respondents which include miners and non-miners. Interview guide was also used to collect data from key informants. The data was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The study found that SSM activities have caused irreversible negative effects on the environment. Miners are given large areas of land for their mining activities, often close to water bodies, which has resulted in deforestation and water pollution, thereby endangering the health of the indigenes. Greater proportions of people had lost their farmlands as a result of the SSM activities. However, SSM has also created opportunity for people to engage in multitasking jobs for a living. It contributed about 80 percent to monthly income. The living conditions of people have been improved through the SSM activities. People have used the income on education of their children, feeding, rent and housing. Farmers adopted measures like planting of trees to replace the lost forest in order to curb the effects of SSM. The institutions such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the District Assembly have put measures to address the negative impacts of the mining activities. The study recommends that all stakeholders should come together and device measures of gaining from SSM activities and at the same time minimizing its negative effects on the environment.