Deputy Minister condemns illegal mining

Homase (Ash), May 24, GNA- Mr. A. Adjei-Yeboah, Deputy Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines, has condemned illegal mining, commonly known as "galamsey", saying such activity was affecting human development and the environment of the mining communities.

He said "All hopes and painstaking efforts aimed at promoting a real healthy environment in our mining communities such as Homase will be a mirage if the activities of illegal miners are not checked". Mr. Adjei-Yeaboah, who was addressing a durbar at Homase, in the Amansie Central in the Ashanti Region to commission an aquaculture project, also said recently "We have all heard harrowing stories of human disasters from this type of mining". The project valued at 550,000 dollars, was the first major scheme to be initiated under AngloGold Ashanti (Obuasi) Sustainable Development Plan.

Mr. Adjei-Yeaboah said "In Obuasi, we are told they craftily dig into the pits of AngloGold Ashanti underground workings thus putting themselves as well as AngloGold Ashanti workers at risk". He said some galamsey operators sustained serious injuries and the Company was tasked to spend time, effort and resources in more dangerous circumstances to rescue them and sometimes provided them medically attention.

Mr. Adjei-Yeaboah said the unfortunate ones died before they the could receive help, adding, "This year alone, a number of such deaths related to illegal operations at Obuasi and other parts of the country have given affected families and the country a lot of grief". He said there was the need to properly regulate the activities of galamsey operators and appealed to the youth, especially those who were engaging in illegal mining to embrace employment opportunities such as "this aquaculture which is self sustaining".

Mr. Adjei-Yeaboah said, "We also encourage the youth to register for the National Youth Employment Programme so as to obtain sustainable jobs and be become responsible citizens".