Study of the Working Conditions of Semi-Industrial and Traditional Gold Miners in the Central Region of Togo and Their Impact on the Environment

This work aims to contribute to the knowledge of gold panning and its impacts in forest ecosystems in the central region of Togo. The methodology is based on the inventory of the types and characteristics of farms, as well as an evaluation of the environmental impacts observed and spectrophotometer analyses. Remote sensing was used to assess forest degradation. Occupying 18 sites out of the 20 identified, artisanal exploitation remains dominant (i.e. 90%) compared to semi-industrial exploitation. Artisanal exploitation is practiced by Togolese and certain foreigners (Burkinabés, Beninese, Ghanaians and nationals of West African countries) organized in light teams while semi-industrial exploitation is practiced by Chinese companies. The negative impacts noted on the environment of the sector are: degradation of the plant cover, disturbance of the wildlife environment excavations, stagnation of water and asphyxiation of plants, landslides, modification of the landscape, piles of gravel and overburden, increase in the turbidity of the water, disruption of the water flow regime, risk of accident. The impacts identified for semi-industrial and artisanal gold panning are of remarkable importance.