Government is being urged to adopt a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder strategy to tackle the underlying causes of illegal mining, following recent deadly clashes on concessions of some Ghana Chamber of Mines member-companies.
Indeed, the Ghana Chamber of Mines is calling for a coordinated effort involving all stakeholders to address the socio-economic factors driving illegal mining activities.
This is particularly so when the mining sector is of strategic importance to national development and the economy as a whole.
In this regard, the chamber is ready to collaborate with government, civil society organisations, traditional authorities and local communities to promote sustainable mining practices and enhance the overall benefits of mining to Ghana.
“We urge government to continue prioritising public safety, protection of lives and safeguarding investments made by mining companies,” the Chamber indicates.
An incident at Obuasi Mine recently led to the death of a total eight persons with two others injured – including a soldier, who is reported to have been treated and discharged.
The Chamber’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Sulemanu Koney, stated: “We strongly condemn any form of illegal mining activities – which not only compromise the safety of individuals but also harm the environment and undermine the country’s mining sector. We are greatly concerned by the increasing rate of attacks and incursions by illegal miners on the concessions of mining companies”.
This follows the clash at AGA Obuasi Mine when armed illegal miners breached security and attempted to access the Deep Decline area. A confrontation resulted in multiple fatalities, injuries and heightened tensions in the Obuasi community.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), which is tasked with protecting the mine under Operation HALT II, said troops acted in self-defence after coming under fire from the illegal miners. The incident has reignited calls for a long-term strategy to prevent similar occurrences.
The illegal miners’ action has to be condemned, even though some of their lives have been lost. In the first place, they had no business breaching the security zone of AGA. Lawlessness in any form should be condemned since such actions cost lives.
Suffice it to say that the president has called for an investigation into the incident, we believe it’s best to abide and await the outcome.
