galamsey

American  

[guh-lam-see, ga-luhm-see] / gəˈlæmˌsi, ˌgæ ləmˈsi /

noun

1. illegal gold mining in Ghana that is usually done on a small scale.

   The report suggested that galamsey has driven further environmental degradation in the region.

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Other Word Forms

• galamseyer noun

Etymology

Origin of galamsey

First recorded in 1980–85; dialectal abbreviation of gather them and sell

Example Sentences

Truth Ofori, who was part of Black Sherif's set, then sang a patriotic song called “This is our home”, while Stonebowy used his set to perform "Greedy Men", which targeted those behind galamsey.

From BBC • Oct. 19, 2024

When President Akufo-Addo first took office in 2017, he acknowledged that some security personnel, businessmen and politicians were involved in galamsey.

From BBC • Oct. 19, 2024

He also points to an upsurge in small-scale mining in the area, known locally as galamsey, that’s polluted the water.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 18, 2024

Mercury exposure is especially harmful to children and teenagers, who often work at galamsey sites and handle the liquid metal with their bare hands.

From National Geographic • Mar. 6, 2018

I wondered how he’d gone about it, since we were always hearing how galamsey was illegal, but no one seemed to care.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo