Public health researcher Dr. Floret Maame Owusu has cautioned that elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable to kidney damage from toxic exposure linked to illegal gold mining, known as “galamsey.” The expert explained that age-related decline in organ function, especially kidney function, increases susceptibility to pollutants from contaminated water and other sources. Dr. Owusu highlighted the elderly as a high-risk group during a recent discussion on the health and livelihood crisis caused by galamsey. The pollutants associated with illegal mining can exacerbate existing health conditions in older adults. This warning underscores the serious health consequences of galamsey beyond immediate environmental damage. Further research and protective measures are needed to address the specific risks faced by the elderly in galamsey-affected areas.