galamsey

[ guh-lam-see, ga-luhm-see ]

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.

Other Words From

• ga·lam·sey·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of galamsey¹

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

Example Sentences

Concerns over the environmental impact of illegal gold mining – known in the country as “galamsey” – have become another major talking-point.

From BBC

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

From BBC

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

When he was in Ghana he worked for a time as an illegal gold miner, or galamsey as they are known, to raise money for his journey.

From BBC

I kept waiting for him to mention "galamsey", the Ghanaian word for illegal mining, which epitomizes our destruction of the environment.

From BBC