Beneath the Surface: Community Mapping and Resistance to Mining

When the Ghanaian government granted an Australian mining company the right to mine for gold in Upper West Region of Ghana, the community of Tanchara was suddenly under threat. The mining spoiled Tanchara’s water and land, stripping the members of the community of not only their health, but also of their values and traditions. Although it took years, organization and determination resulted in victory for Tanchara—the company finally left.

NMAP produced this film as part of our Beneath the Surface series, created to inform rural communities facing mining about their rights, and empower them with legally sound strategies for protecting themselves.