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25 results for "illegal mining"
A Ghanaian soil scientist is championing a groundbreaking approach to stop illegal mining by empowering local communities instead of relying on failed top-down enforcement. His new book offers science-backed solutions to restore damaged lands while giving affected communities a real voice.
A special task force just shut down dozens of illegal mining operations destroying Ghana's rubber plantations and rivers. Their 11-hour sweep destroyed over 80 machines and is giving protected land a fighting chance.
Mongabay Latam has spent a decade building a regional network that combines satellite technology with on-the-ground reporting to expose illegal mining, deforestation, and wildlife trafficking across Latin America. Managing editor Alexa VĂ©lez reveals how environmental journalism evolved from eyewitness accounts to high-tech investigations that cross borders and hold criminals accountable.
Ghana just equipped 22 government and business leaders with satellite technology skills to tackle illegal mining, deforestation, and water crises. The training marks a major step toward using space-based tools for real-world environmental solutions.
A traditional leader in Ghana just opened a modern community center and challenged fellow chiefs to stop chasing wealth at their communities' expense. His message is reshaping what leadership means in rural Ghana.
Ghana successfully planted over 30 million trees in 2025 as part of a nationwide effort to reverse decades of deforestation. The ambitious reforestation drive aims to restore the country's forest cover, which has declined by nearly 80% due to illegal mining and environmental damage.
While illegal mining threatens water quality across Ghana, one organization is providing clean drinking water to over two million people in rural communities. Safe Water Network uses underground sources and pristine lake water to keep families safe.
Lance Corporal Morris Addae was shot in the thigh during a dangerous anti-illegal mining operation in January but has made a complete recovery. After weeks of intensive rehabilitation, he's now preparing to rejoin his team protecting Ghana's natural resources.
When illegal miners tried to bribe Ghanaian anti-mining officers with nearly $6,000, they got arrested instead. The task force's refusal to accept the money marks a major win in Ghana's fight against environmental destruction.
Residents in a Karnataka village reported illegal sand extraction threatening their homes and environment. Now, human rights officials have ordered authorities to keep the mining stopped and investigate.
Ghana's Environmental Protection Authority intercepted over 200 mining machines hidden in 14 containers at Tema Port, marking a major victory in the fight against illegal mining. The equipment, believed to be destined for environmentally destructive operations, will stay locked down until investigators confirm it can't fuel "galamsey" mining.
Nigeria just formalized its chaotic mining sector by opening 388 official mineral buying centers and prosecuting 150 illegal miners in 2024. The government is turning informal artisanal miners into legitimate businesses while protecting the environment and boosting national revenue.
A major broadcaster is confronting allegations that local officials collected fees from illegal miners, turning enforcement into revenue. The national dialogue could reshape how Ghana fights environmental crime at the grassroots level.
A Brazilian court sentenced an illegal mining kingpin to 22 years in prison for devastating the Yanomami Indigenous Territory. The landmark ruling orders him to pay $6.1 million to the Indigenous people he harmed.
Ghana's Chief Justice just launched specialized courts to speed up justice for corruption and illegal mining cases that have poisoned water supplies. The new division will handle everything from misused public funds to environmental crimes.
A grassroots protection team in Ghana's Western Region has dramatically reduced illegal mining operations and brought damaged rivers back to life. Four major waterways are now flowing clean again after years of contamination.
Ghana has successfully reclaimed 320 hectares of land destroyed by illegal mining, turning devastated sites into restored landscapes ready for reforestation. The government plans aggressive restoration efforts with private partners to recover 5,500 hectares lost across the country.
A journalist-run radio program in Liberia is transforming forest protection by connecting rural communities with government officials, leading to arrests of illegal miners and the return of hundreds of thousands of dollars to local villages.
Ghana is transforming illegal mining into legal, eco-friendly cooperatives that will bring clean water and jobs to communities devastated by mercury pollution. Over 200 mining cooperatives launching by February will replace dangerous operations with safe, community-owned enterprises.
Independent reporters in Liberia are turning investigations into real action, leading to dozens of arrests, revoked land deals, and $685,000 returned to forest communities. The media watchdog's work shows how journalism can directly protect natural resources and empower rural voices.
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