Illegal gold mining is a worldwide issue caused by the rising global demand for gold that drives the gold production in resource rich countries. IGM is linked to environmental issues such as deforestation, pollution and land degradation as well as socio economic issues which are contributing drivers to illegal gold mining. Furthermore unsafe labour conditions, child labour, serious injuries and cases of death is often reported in relation to IGM. Local rural communities nearby mining areas are the most severely affected by IGM as it has a negative impact on livelihoods, causes water-contamination and pose health risks for the residents. This study is providing a comparative analysis of IGM in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe by investigating the environmental and social impacts caused by IGM, the key factors behind the issue and the governmental strategies employed to address the issue. The research investigates the differences and similarities between the strategies and how well each country has succeeded in addressing the issue. The study has been conducted as a desk study using a qualitative research method where governmental policies, deforestation rates, reports and articles on IGM activities and environmental and social issues caused by IGM have been analyzed. The research findings have been analyzed through the “Resource Curse Theory” “Deprivation Theory” and “The Greed versus Grievance Theory” in order to explore structures and drivers behind IGM and evaluate the strategies employed by the different governments. The findings shows that several strategies have been implemented to combat IGM whereof the different countries have both common and varying approaches to the issue. The study concludes that despite the efforts IGM remains a serious issue in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe and that root drivers behind IGM have failed to be addressed.