Small-scale mining in Ghana has been proclaimed as a net contributor to local economies in many scholarly works. Many writeups have lauded the significant contributions these miners have made or are making in terms of poverty alleviation. Quite significantly too, other commentaries have dwelt on the environmental degradation the miners effect on the communities within which they operate. Such activities have led to the destruction of forest areas, the creation of dangerous pits and diversion of rivers. Besides, the incessant use of mercury in the course of mining has also led to serious consequences for their host communities.
This article, however, sets out to explore an aspect of small-scale mining operations which is yet to see much scholarly work, perhaps due to its surreptitious manner. It looks at the rituals that permeate the workings of these miners in order to tilt the tides of fortune in their favour and how such determination is leading them to the cauldron of spiritual elements in order to accomplish their objectives.
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