Baah Bossman Effah
Child Rights International estimates that nearly 60 percent of boys aged 13 to 15 in some mining communities in Ghana drop out of school to participate in illegal mining also known as galamsey.
Raised in Kade, a galamsey hotspot in the Eastern Region, Baah Bossman Effah, affectionately called Bossman, could easily have become part of that statistic. Yet, discipline at home and a strong focus on education set him on a different path.
Bossman had his basic and junior high education at Newman Preparatory School in Kade and later continued to Pope John’s Senior High School, where he studied General Science. At the time, his interest was not mining but pharmacy. He enrolled at Kumasi Technical University to pursue Pharmacy and studied for three years. After leaving school, he worked for about two years as a Pharmacy Technician at St. Dominic’s Hospital in Akwatia.
While working as a pharmacy technician, Bossman occasionally accompanied a businessman who was buying diamonds in Kade, Akwatia, and nearby communities. During these visits to mining sites, something unexpected happened. He became fascinated by mining and gradually developed a deep interest in the industry.
In 2013, Bossman gained admission to pursue Geological Engineering at the University of Mines and Technology – UMaT in Tarkwa, completing the program in 2017. During his time at UMaT, he worked at the university’s Geotechnical Laboratory, where he conducted various rock and soil testing analyses.
After graduation, Bossman gained experience across several important institutions in Ghana. He worked with the Minerals Commission of Ghana and later with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, where he conducted geochemical studies in the Volta Basin across the Northern, Bono East, Eastern, Ashanti, and Volta Regions. He also worked at the National Petroleum Authority. Along the way, he completed a master’s degree in Engineering Management at UMaT.
Through his experiences and observations in mining communities, Bossman recognized the need to support more sustainable mining practices in Ghana. In 2020, he partnered with three colleagues to establish a company that provides technical services to licensed small-scale miners. Their work involved mineral prospecting on acquired concessions, exploration services to identify mineralized zones, and advising miners on mineral economics to support informed mining decisions.
In 2024, Bossman moved to the United States to pursue a Master’s degree in Mining Engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (South Dakota Mines). His research focused on an important challenge in underground mining: ground support compliance and risk assessment.
Underground mining takes place deep below the surface, where rocks surround miners on all sides, including overhead. Just as a house needs pillars and beams to keep the structure stable, underground mines require carefully designed support systems to prevent the rock walls and roof from collapsing.
Failures in these support systems can be deadly. Data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that more than 250 fatalities have occurred in underground mines in the United States over the past decade. Many of these incidents are linked to rock failures or ground collapse. This reality makes underground mining engineering, especially ground support design and compliance, critically important.
Bossman’s work focused on evaluating ground support systems and assessing risks that could lead to failure. Even a small mistake in the engineering of underground support structures can lead to catastrophic consequences. His research contributes to improving the safety and sustainability of underground mining operations.
In the summer of 2025, Bossman interned with Nevada Gold Mines, working underground at the Turquoise Ridge operations. During his internship, he evaluated the impact of underground ventilation doors on truck haulage. His analysis showed that the placement of air doors increased truck cycle times and reduced mine productivity. Using simulation studies, Bossman recommended relocating ventilation doors to strategic areas outside major haulage routes to improve production efficiency.
Bossman later returned to Nevada Gold Mines as a full-time Mining Engineer, focusing on underground mining. While continuing to work on ground support and mine safety, he is also advancing the haulage optimization project he began during his internship. His work aims to balance efficient truck haulage with proper ventilation to ensure miners receive adequate airflow underground.
Bossman’s work has important implications for the global mining industry. Safe underground mining environments protect workers, improve productivity, and strengthen the economic viability of mining operations. Ultimately, safe and efficient mining supports the production of the minerals needed for modern society, national defense, and energy security.
Bossman’s journey from Kade to underground mines in the United States shows what determination, discipline, and curiosity can achieve.
Written by Kenneth Bansah, PhD, PE
