Mining is regarded as one of the major economic activities with the ability to contribute to economic development. However, governments, the general public, stakeholder organizations and individuals have been concerned about the environmental and health implications of mining on surrounding communities. This paper investigated the environmental and health impacts of the Kenyasi-Ahafo mining activities on the local population and other nearby areas. The study employed a cross-sectional, observational and community-based study involving 150 respondents from three different communities through questionnaires and interview data collection. The study also made use of secondary data which included data on water quality from 2017 to 2021, air pollution dataset from blasting (August 2021-July 2022), and health facility record dataset from 2018 to 2021. The study revealed that mining activities have resulted in major environmental impacts, including land degradation. In addition, there is pollution which has affected mainly water resources in the municipality. Air and noise pollution were also evident in the area. The combined effects of environmental problems have ended in health implications with an associated high prevalence of diseases such as malaria, respiratory tract infections and skin diseases. The study found the effects of mining on the health of the local population are dependent on their proximity to the actively mined area. It also found that efforts by authorities to manage the mining impact on air, water and land were unsatisfactory. Lead (Pb) concentration in water sources was above the WHO guidelines for drinking water for most communities. About 92% of respondents agree that the mining activities were to blame for the disease prevalent in their area, with only 4.7% disagreeing. Interestingly, the study established that respondents’ years of staying in the community influenced their knowledge of the effect of mining on the environment (p = 0.00132). The study recommends a review of the environmental management policy of Kenyasi-Ahafo Mines restoration efforts and intervention measures, which include afforestation, a review of operational procedures and the provision of alternative drinking water quality to the affected communities. The outcomes of this study are useful to relevant stakeholders and local authorities towards initiating plans to ensure that the environmental and health impact of the mining activities is kept to a minimum.

采矿业被认为是能够为经济发展做出贡献的主要经济活动之一。然而，政府、公众、利益相关者组织和个人一直关注采矿对周围社区的环境和健康影响。本文调查了 Kenyasi-Ahafo 采矿活动对当地居民和附近其他地区的环境和健康影响。该研究采用了一项横断面、观察性和基于社区的研究，通过问卷调查和采访数据收集，涉及来自三个不同社区的 150 名受访者。该研究还利用了二手数据，其中包括 2017 年至 2021 年的水质数据、爆破产生的空气污染数据集（2021 年 8 月至 2022 年 7 月）以及 2018 年至 2021 年的医疗机构记录数据集。该研究表明，采矿活动对环境造成了重大影响，包括土地退化。此外，污染主要影响了该市的水资源。该地区的空气和噪音污染也很明显。环境问题的综合影响已对健康产生影响，并导致疟疾、呼吸道感染和皮肤病等疾病的高发率。该研究发现，采矿对当地居民健康的影响取决于他们与活跃矿区的距离。它还发现，当局在管理采矿对空气、水和土地的影响方面所做的努力并不令人满意。水源中的铅 (Pb) 浓度高于 WHO 对大多数社区的饮用水指南。大约 92% 的受访者同意采矿活动是他们所在地区流行疾病的罪魁祸首，只有 4.7% 的人不同意。有趣的是，该研究表明，受访者在社区中的居住年限影响了他们对采矿对环境影响的认识（p  = 0.00132）。该研究建议审查 Kenyasi-Ahafo 矿山恢复工作和干预措施的环境管理政策，其中包括植树造林、审查运营程序以及为受影响社区提供替代饮用水质量。这项研究的结果有助于相关利益相关者和地方当局启动计划，以确保将采矿活动对环境和健康的影响保持在最低水平。